aerie-spring-2009

SPRING 2009

A Publication for Parents, Alumni and Friends of Palmer Trinity School

Aerie

| Editor’s Notes | After a lengthy presidential election process in which community building and grassroots initiatives were given much coverage among the candidates, the idea of “change” has taken on a new meaning in this country. Here at Palmer Trinity School, our already engaged student body, staff, and alumni are looking for even more ways to contribute to meaningful change.

Editor

Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja

Creative Director Joe Sanchez

Copy Editors Lois Chumbley Amy Duarte Ben Hoke

Katrina Murphy Bruce Musgrave Peg Musgrave

Palmer Trinity School Administration Sean Murphy Bruce Musgrave Ashley Chapman Laurette Cestare The Rev. Julian Lentz Danny Reynolds

Rob Lundgren Ben Hoke Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja Monica Sanchez Susanna Cetta Sarah Kemeness Jake Von Scherrer Vivian Cerione Susie Loiacono

Head of School Assistant Head of School for Academics Head of Upper School Head of Middle School Chaplain Director of Admission, College Counseling & Financial Aid Director of Finance and Operations Director of Development Director of Communications Director of Alumni Relations Director of Major Gifts Upper School Dean of Students Director of Athletics Registrar Executive Assistant to the Head of School

PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL Board of Trustees 2008 – 2009

William Morrison, Chairman Paula Brockway, Vice-Chair Susan Ludovici, Vice-Chair Dan Forman, Secretary Jim Davidson, Treasurer Michael Baiamonte Jon Batchelor Susan Benenati Margaret Brisbane Thomas R. Capo The Rev. Frank J. Corbishley (Bishop’s Designate) Joseph R. Coulter, III Diane De Olazarra Swanee DiMare Robert Dunlap

Rt. Rev. Leo Frade Eloise Gonzalez-Geller Nancy Hector Anne Jackaway Joseph Kalbac, Jr. Mitchell Kaplan Charles Klenk Larry Marbert Vicki O’Meara Rev. Jennie Lou Reid Darryl Robinson Bronwen Rutter Charles Scurr Jo-Ann Titley Michelle Torbert Luis Villanueva

The Palmer Trinity School Aerie is published by Original Impressions. The Aerie exists to report on matters relating to the School and to provide a forum for Alumni comment.

The importance of service is woven into the very fabric of our school’s prayer: “Let there be light in this place: Light to the mind, light to the heart, and the light to the will; that we may grow in knowledge, love and service of you and each other, now and forever.”

Our commitment to service attracts many families to PTS, and to those already volunteering their time and resources to make our world a better place. Darlene Bell-Alexander, mother to Johnathan, a PTS senior, founded Ms. Permello’s Reading Room in December 2007. Bell-Alexander said that Palmer Trinity’s support of the Reading Room has been invaluable, with the donation of several hundred books from the school community. PTS alumna, Lauren Benenati, as well, volunteered every Saturday last summer to help prepare kindergarteners for the first grade.

This issue of the Aerie also profiles another reading enthusiast, Mitchell Kaplan, owner and founder of Books & Books and a parent at PTS. Mr. Kaplan has a long history of donating his time to literacy-based causes, to great success. At Palmer Trinity, we celebrate the success of our students, but also of their families. These individuals embody the spirit of service integral to our community.

This literary and service themed issue of the Aerie wouldn’t be complete without an article on Palmer Trinity Interact Club’s latest international project, the African Library Project. You will read about the extraordinary efforts of this student-formed group to combat international illiteracy through communitybased projects. As Laura Portuondo, Palmer Trinity Interact Club president, says: “Through our combined efforts planning, fundraising, and packing the quite literally thousands of collected books, our Interact Club emerged from the project with a sense of renewed purpose and enthusiasm for continuing to serve our local and international community.”

As we embark on this energized time of service, let us celebrate our accomplishments and continue to inquire about new and creative ways to support the community and make a difference.

Front Cover: Martha Renteria with Nicaraguan child. Photo by Brad Showalter. Opposite Page: Zach Tassler and Christian Pfeiffer.

Above: Dean Kemeness with students in courtyard.

Back Cover: Whitcomb Johnson, Catriona Luxford, Rebecca Merritt, Andrea Ortiz, Halina Rachelson, Christina Santilli, Max Stritzinger, Zach Tassler, Gina Tomasetti, Vanessa Zaballa

Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja Director of Communications

Spring 2009 volume 5

PerspecTiveS 12

Making a World of Difference

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ECO-CLUB Connecting with the Environment

By Heather Coule Bardier, Community Service Coordinator Palmer Trinity School is involved with many service programs, but there is still so much more we can do.

By Leann Winn, Science Department/Eco-Club Students express their passion about the environment as they become more involved in the Eco-Club.

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This is Neat Stuff!

By Susi Cetta, Director of Major Gifts Volunteering time means so much to so many. Learn how our students get involved with Neat Stuff, a non-profit organization that provides free clothing assistance to thousands of kids.

By Darlene Bell Alexander, PTS parent The conditions of our world in the 21st Century require a different way of thinking and acting, and hence, a different way of learning.

Giving Ourselves Away

By Chaplain Jay Lentz We are urged as citizens to look inward and consider helping others not as fortunate as ourselves.

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By Alexandra Katzman, Visual Arts Department Chair PTS students have found a passion. Visit with four different artists who channel their creativity through art.

The Literary Channel: Mitchell Kaplan PTS parent and founder of Books & Books

By Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja

Highlights

By Sean Murphy

Head of School

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Bird’s Eye View

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AlumNews

By Peter Masteller, Religious Studies Department Chair and Kenley Smith, English Department As teachers, our priority is guiding our students to become strong citizens and, more broadly, human beings.

Inside the Art Studio

Editors Note

Director of Communications

Our Civic Duty in a Changing World

VisionAeries 24

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Meeting Ms. Permello

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Departments

• Global Awareness • Community Involvement • PTS Service Club • Independent Learning • Meditation Station • Books • Sports

Alumni Spotlight

Lisa Dwoskin-Woitrya ’88 learned from her parents to give back to the community.

Recently, she decided she needed to do more.

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Alumni Spotlight Alba Gosalbez ’06 was moved by her experiences with the PTS Nicaragua Trip.

Now, she is finding new ways to give back.

ENEWSLETTER – Keep informed of campus events, as well as student and faculty accomplishments through this communication piece.

Send story ideas, or comments to scalleja@palmertrinity.org ONLINE COMMUNITY – Palmer Trinity School offers a fullservice website – www.palmertrinity.org, where you can, among other things, look up friends in a searchable directory, find out about upcoming events, and connect with your Alumni office. We also have back issues of our e-newsletter online. You can also join fellow alumni and faculty by visiting www.facebook.com.

For details on all of these benefits feel free to call your Alumni Director Monica Sanchez at 305.969.4210.

|Highlights|

Sean Murphy

Sacrifice, Humility, and Power In the old days, charity was often regarded as an obligation of the privileged toward the less privileged, a handing down of material goods, usually in the form of food or money, to help sustain the lives of the poor. At first glance such an arrangement seems to be beneficial to both sides. The giver feels virtuous and the receiver lives on. Those paternalistic strategies, however, preserved oppressive social hierarchies and prevented any lasting improvement in the lives of those being served. Throughout history great spiritual teachers have warned us against the liabilities of such transactions. Mahatma Gandhi, for example, included among his seven social sins “religion without sacrifice.” He understood the impossibility of approaching God without the sacrifice of ego and pride. Such sacrifice is the essence of meaningful community service. True compassion comes from spiritual strength born of deep humility. Think of the image of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. Service transforms us when we sacrifice our own power, when we empower others, and when we allow ourselves to become vulnerable.

In these days, community service is less about what we can do for others, and more about what the act of serving does to us individually,

transforming us internally and spiritually. We are all called to service, and service is at the center of our purpose. In the Book of Genesis we are created to tend and keep the garden, rather than to consume it and use it for our purposes. Service offers an opportunity to reconsider our relationship to the world and to each other. Initially strangers, we find that in fact we are our brother’s keeper. In our service we must disrupt conventional hierarchies and comfortable social structures.

Definitions of rich and poor, popular and outcast, healthy and sick, change in the fields of service. Otherwise we are likely to miss the opportunity for spiritual growth. As Martin Luther King said, “we can all be great, because we can all serve.” In other words, through the discipline of service we may become great in spirit.

I have never seen a better example of such spirit than the group of students and teachers who travelled to Nicaragua over the February break. Upon their return, they shared testimonials, photos, and a video of their experiences at Convocation. All the elements of deep service learning were present even after the fact. Everyone who gave themselves to that mission returned with greater humility, compassion, transformation, and an abiding power.

Top row (left to right): Gina Tomasetti, Head of School Sean Murphy, Pauline Dawson Bottom row (left to right): Alexander Dudley, Nicolas Cadena, Myles Bullock, Taylor Haas.

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Bird’s Eye View |Global Awareness| Nicaragua

It all came to me at the end of the trip when I had to translate what the families had to say; that is when I realized that going on the mission trip to Nicaragua was the best decision I had ever made.

Since ninth-grade I had wanted to take part in this trip offered by my school; however, my parents were hesitant about letting me go to a third world country. Last year I was able to convince them to let me go, and the experience was even better than I expected.

Our mission was to build two houses, and to do that we spent a week mixing cement, carrying heavy bricks and buckets, painting roofs, and performing many other tasks. The best part about my experience was seeing the joy in the eyes of the families for whom we built the houses.

To my astonishment, there were also people looking for food. To picture it, one would have to imagine one of the “adopt-a-child” ads with an orphan shown walking barefoot in terrible conditions, and then visualize it as infinitely worse. Only the week before, I had been complaining about not finding socks to take with me to Nicaragua, and right there in front of me were people who didn’t even have a closet, or anything to put inside one. Growing up in Venezuela, I had witnessed poverty all my life, but the sight at the dump caused my heart to sink.

Cristina Hernandez, Patrick Kalbac and neighborhood kids

Top Left: Brad Showalter, Dave Cutler, Patrick Kalbac, Hosts: Chris and Christa Farrington, Back left: Martha Renteria, Jessica De Cecchi, Kirsten Marbert, Leo Llinas, (seated front row from left) Cristina Hernandez, Christina Santilli, Briana Henry, Matyas Bartha (holding Mason Farrington), Cecilia Leal, Adrianna Truby (holding Aleah Farrington) We worked Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Although I was exhausted during our hour-long lunch breaks, I could not resist playing with all the kids who gathered to watch us work. I guess they seldom see houses being built. Since there was not much for the children to play with, I came up with all kinds of races to entertain them. We also played tag, hide-and-seek, and a few other games. I was surprised and touched that the children never complained about anything. They were so nice that after we played together, they always stood by while we worked to see if we needed help. I remember having to say repeatedly to one boy, who was trying to help carry the buckets, that he didn’t have to do any more work. These children made my experience in Nicaragua so memorable, and I am glad I was able to put smiles on their faces for at least that week. Even now, it is impossible for me not to miss them because of how thankful, helpful, and sweet they were.

During our trip we also went to a dump called La Churreca. A repugnant smell of burning trash and smoke permeated the area.

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It is because of the mission trip to Nicaragua that I try to do more to help the world today. I could have written about diversity, racism, or political problems in my country. However, as important as those issues are to me, this trip has had the biggest impact on my life. I have been fortunate to visit many places in the world, yet the trip to Nicaragua changed my life the most. When we finished building the houses, we gathered to say our last words to the families. I was listening carefully to what they had to say because I was going to translate for our group, and as I watched the families tear up with joy, I felt very good about what I had done to help them. I had never felt better about working so hard. My role in Nicaragua showed me the effect I can have on other people’s lives. It was an extraordinary trip, and I can’t wait to go there again during my senior year. It helped me realize my desire to work on ameliorating the global problem of poverty. By Jessica De Cecci, Class of 2009

Martha Renteria with Nicaraguan family (Reigna, Eric and Cynthia)

Campus News |Global Awareness|

|Community Involvement|

Haiti Relief Drive

Community Partnership for the Homeless

After Hurricane Ike plowed through Haiti, the home of Gaby ‘09, Belle ‘10, and Mark ‘14 Verwaay, a convocation was held to educate the PTS student body and faculty about the devastation and how we could help. Boxes were then distributed throughout the school where items could be dropped off. Sixth through twelfth grade students were given lists of items to collect, spanning everything from canned goods to band aids. After nearly a week of gathering the needed items, Palmer Trinity volunteers promptly organized them and shipped them to Haiti. Seeing the desperate situation in Haiti, Palmer Trinity School worked alongside Food for the Poor to pack a cargo ship with all the donations and send them to hurricane victims as fast as possible. By quickly responding to the needs of others, we as a school were able to make a difference. We helped hundreds of people who lost everything in the devastating hurricane to get back on their feet. Many of these people had nothing, losing loved ones and essential commodities alike. By giving what we could, we made a difference in the lives of those who needed it the most. By Tessa Wogan, Class of 2011

Community Partnership for the Homeless has operated a homeless assistance center in Homestead, FL since 1998. The center is a one-stop temporary care entry point that provides not just food and shelter but also case management, health care, daycare, job training and other assistance from a variety of social services agencies under one roof.

For the past ten years the sixth-grade students at Palmer Trinity School have worked closely to support these families, in particular, their school aged children. Yearly the sixth grade students host a dinner during homecoming week to raise funds. These funds are used to supply the teachers and students in the Headstart program with educational items for their classrooms.

Isabelle, Mark, and Gabriella Verwaay

Displaced Families in Haiti

Created in 1965, Head Start is the most successful, longest running, national school readiness program in the United States. It provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low income children and their families.

Past donations from PTS to CPHI have included a variety of physical education equipment, including nets and outdoor equipment for the summer programs held at the facility, and school supplies like backpacks and resources for the school aged students.

As an ongoing project, for the past ten years the sixth-grade students at Palmer Trinity have made birthday cards for the children who reside at the center. Each month sixth-grade advisory groups handmake the birthday cards to give out at the monthly party for the residents of the center. Traditionally during the spring semester the sixth-grade students host a spring party at the Homestead center.

This day long event is filled with music, crafts and a variety of outdoor activities. The community outreach to CPHI has a lasting effect that impacts not only the children at CPHI, but also our students for years to come. By Gwen Kenes, Science Department

Middle School students making cards for children at CPHI Amine Sebai, Alexa Aragon Duenas, Jesse Alvarez

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Bird’s Eye View |Community Involvement| Youth Advisory Committe (YAC) Some of our proposed activities for this 2008 – 2009 year also include releasing, reviewing, and awarding a YAC grant, attending The Children’s Trust board meetings, and participating in community awareness campaigns as well as youth leadership conferences.

The Children’s Trust, created in 2002 and funded through taxes, is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of the children and families of Miami-Dade County through investments in their future. The Trust funds various programs that offer quality services to the children of our community. In past years, the Trust started a program called “Quality Counts” to improve child care in MiamiDade. It has funded and continues to fund out-of-school programs and summer camps that help improve the lives of children through increased physical fitness as well as teaching them important life skills. In addition, The Children’s Trust funds programs that promote the prevention of youth violence. Organizations like The Children’s Trust have been established in eight different Florida counties.

One of the most exciting YAC events is taking part in the Children’s Week Activities in Tallahassee. Each year, the YAC travels to Tallahassee to participate in the legislative process. Last year the group, composed of six YAC members, met with other youth groups from around Florida and spoke to senators and representatives, including Senators Larcenia Bullard and Rudy Garcia. They attended a Child Advocacy Dinner where they met Governor Charlie Crist. At such meetings, the YAC helped pass a bill through a committee and spoke to legislators about issues that were important to them. As a new YAC member, I look forward to this annual trip and making a mark in our community by contributing to the legislative process.

For the past five years, I have traveled to Honduras where I visited a girls’ orphanage. I saw the impact I made on the girls’ lives at the home, and it is that experience that inspired me to begin helping the youth of Miami-Dade. It is an honor to have been chosen a YAC member and to inspire children. I look forward to assisting The Children’s Trust in making decisions that will create a positive impact on the future of Miami-Dade children and families.

By Margaret Cookson, Class of 2010

A large and important part of The Children’s Trust is its Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), a group of thirty high school students from several schools throughout Miami-Dade. As members of the Youth Advisory Committee, I and other teens in the area act as the voice of Miami-Dade’s youth by helping to advise The Children’s Trust on issues that matter to our county’s children. Through surveys and meetings, YAC members inform The Children’s Trust of the issues that are pertinent to the youth in today’s society – thus helping the Trust decide where to invest its funds.

Not only do YAC members give the Trust a youth’s perspective, but we spread awareness of The Children’s Trust as well as advocate children’s rights. We participate in various forms of outreach and develop projects based on our interests as individuals. For example, this year we have begun to talk about creating a project in MiamiDade County to address pertinent issues such as children with disabilities, crime violence, health and safety, as well as education.

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Margaret Cookson with fellow YAC members

Campus News |Community Involvement| Best Buddies

“I see you. As a classmate. As an equal. As a friend.

Do you see me?” - Best Buddies

The Best Buddies chapter at Palmer Trinity consists of 25 students, peer and associate members. A peer buddy is someone who develops a relationship with a person that has intellectual disabilities. The Best Buddies program begins when the students are in ninth grade. Each year we go on monthly outings to various locations such as parks, supermarkets, the post office, and even the bank. This past month we went to the Chess Museum and had a great time. We witnessed beautiful friendships being made as we walked around the museum and got to know one another. It is great to see how passionate all the members are in making friends with the buddies and being able to look beyond their disabilities and recognize them for their abilities. This semester we plan on going to the zoo, ice skating, and a basketball game. It is vital for the youth of our society to realize that people with intellectual disabilities are kids and adults just like us. Because they do things differently doesn’t mean that they aren’t capable of learning and being active members of the community. By Stephanie Silva, Class of 2009

Paula Vizcarra, Victoria Arango, Jessica Salgado, Paula Franco, Luis Lopez-Blazquez, Stephanie Silva, Kristyn Schwartz, Martina Faillace, Carolina Perez, Andrea Ortiz, Tiffani Hiler, Cristina Hernandez, Carla Forns, Camila Victoriano

|PTS Service Club| Interact Each day, upon the signal of the final bell, every Palmer Trinity student treks to the car, van, or bus that takes them home each evening. The trip to the car is more arduous for some, especially those overburdened sixth graders who are dwarfed by their enormous backpacks and often gargantuan musical instruments.

Keys in hand, high school students grudgingly lug their math, science, and history textbooks to their cars. Upperclassmen reminisce as they watch younger students trudge along, clutching a tattered copy of Gilgamesh or A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In this setting, surrounded by books, it is easy to forget that in some parts of the world books are a rare commodity. Students in many parts of the world are forced to learn without textbooks and teachers to teach without literature. In such a situation, it is almost impossible to learn to read and even more difficult to succeed. The Palmer Trinity Interact Club decided to help solve this problem through their latest international service project, the African Library Project.

Africa. The club also raised the $1,200 required to pack and ship the books to these needy communities. Books were collected not only on the Palmer Trinity campus, but also through a coordinated effort at local elementary schools and churches. It is our hope that the new libraries will improve literacy rates in the area and contribute to solving other long term problems throughout this turbulent region.

While our service project will undoubtedly enrich the lives of those who receive and enjoy the books, our club has also been enriched by the experience. Through our combined efforts planning, fundraising, and packing the quite literally thousands of collected books, our Interact Club emerged from the project with a sense of renewed purpose and enthusiasm for continuing to serve our local and international community. I can now say with confidence that each member of the Interact Club makes the arduous after-school journey with a new appreciation of the books they carry with them. By Laura Portuondo, President -Palmer Trinity Interact Club Class of 2009

The Palmer Trinity Interact Club was formed two years ago by Palmer Trinity students who wanted to make a difference. Although many of those founding members have graduated and moved on to college, the Interact Club is still going strong. The Interact Club, associated with the Perrine-Cutler Ridge Rotary Club, is dedicated to community service both locally and on an international level.

The club participates in a local community service project each month and at least one international project every school year. Past projects have included a Halloween Party for elementary school children, the Baynanza Bay Cleanup, Change for Charlee, Art in the Park, and the Rotary International India Hydraid Project.

This year, the club set out to combat international illiteracy through a book drive conducted through the African Library Project. The club’s book drive collected over 2,500 books which will be used to establish both a primary and a high school library in Swaziland,

Left to Right: (clockwise) Margaret Cookson, Natalie Davidson, Carla Forns, Allison Groh, Joan Ronstadt, and Laura Portuondo

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Bird’s Eye View |Independent Learning| CITYterm Where can a girl from Miami, along with roommates from San Francisco and South Korea plus 27 other students from around the country, go to learn about New York City? The answer is a unique 16-week program, developed by David Dunbar, called CITYterm at the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York. According to CITYterm’s mission statement, the program is designed to help students “engage fully in learning and thinking for themselves, about themselves and about who and what is beyond themselves.”

Raul Gonzalez, Christina Ludovici, and Nik Nevin

I attended school six days a week!

And although that may not sound like fun, three of those days were in the city learning “hands on” about different aspects of New York.

Some of the units we studied include: Harlem, the Brooklyn Bridge, Newtown Creek, Gender Studies, Housing, and Immigration. In every class we began by reading a book, then we visited the location in the city, and finally we prepared a project. Projects included: building a housing model and floor plans to be presented to a panel of architects, creating a lesson plan to teach middle school

students about an oil spill, and being filmed discussing similarities and differences between different immigrant groups. Each student traveled into the city at dusk and delivered food directly to the homeless on the streets. We talked to them, listened to their life stories, and hopefully helped them with donated food and clothing.

For an immigration project, my group spent the night in Crown Heights, Brooklyn with the Lubavitch Jews who were celebrating the first Shabbat after the High Holy Days. I don’t believe I would have ever had such an interesting and eye-opening experience in Miami. Nowhere else can you take swing dancing lessons one week, and then go to Yehoodi, one of the best annual swing dancing parties in the Lower East Side, and still learn how and why it is relevant to our classroom learning. We saw Broadway shows and attended events such as the Dodge Poetry Festival. We read books by contemporary authors, like Christina Chui, Lee Stringer, Joseph O’Neill, and Mira Jacob, and then met them to discuss our ideas about their books. Aside from juggling our Urban Core course load, we took two additional courses in math, science or language. But where else can you go downstairs to talk to your math teacher at 9:30 p.m. to discuss rational functions? Six of our eight teachers lived with us, ate with us, and learned with us. Five of them were under 25 years old. We talked to them about everything, and at the same time we had 29 other teenagers in our dorm that had become friends. We were like one big family unit.

This experience changed who I am as a person. If you want to learn outside the box, be challenged to stretch your thinking, and take control of your learning, I would highly recommend that you too consider a semester at CITYterm. By Christina Ludovici, Class of 2010

|Meditation Station| Wat Buddharangsi On Monday, November 10th, two Buddhism classes and the AP World History class visited Wat Buddharangsi, Miami’s local Buddhist temple in Homestead. Once there, we were introduced to four Thai Buddhist monks who promptly sat us down shoeless inside the temple. The spacious, modern room is filled to the brim on one wall with silver and golden ornaments that surround a huge Buddhist image, the Phrabuddhadhammachinaraj. The monks joined us on the floor and instructed us in the dharma, or the path to living a more enlightened life. According to Carolina Barrios (’10), their dharma talk was “extremely pleasant and soothing;” they made her feel “as if all [her] tribulations in the world were gone.”

After the hour-long session, we meditated and then walked around the temple observing the surrounding grounds.

The Wat Buddharangsi temple project began in 1986, when the land was purchased. Construction wasn’t started until 1996, and it dragged on for over six years. Now, five structures stand in the five acre property: a temple, two classrooms, an all-purpose building, and a bell-tower. The quaint grounds are quiet and peaceful, with the Thai structures surrounding the central garden.

Seven monks currently live in the temple. The monks look as we expect: they have shaved heads, wear orange robes, possess a calm

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Mr. Pete Masteller, Mr. Graham Andrew, Andres Policastro Nick Benenati, James Murphy, Julia Krakow, Carolina Barrios, Faris Desir, Briana Henry, Alex Hevia, Nick Nieto, Fernan Espino, Nat Davidson, Zach Schwartz, Michelle Evans, Dexter Carr, Luke Evans, Juliana Salazar, Jaquen Castellanos, Nadia Adside, Richie Befeler, Katie Titley

composure and speak limited English with strong accents.

However, they engage in actions Westerners would not expect. They have cell phones, speak into microphones, and have a subtle humor in everything they say. It is from them that the classes learned the most. By Richie Befeler, Class 2010

Campus News |Books| Book Club Gives Back On Saturday, October 25, members of the Palmer Trinity School Book Club volunteered their time to help sort books at the Miami Dade Public Library downtown. Donated books from all over the county are stored in the basement of the Main Library in anticipation of their annual book sale. As a team we were able to help sort through three pallets of boxes of books. Each book needed to be categorized and then reboxed and labeled. The book sale was held at the Main Library in Downtown Miami the first weekend in December.

Back Row: Mr. Graham Andrew, Matyas Bartha, Adam Wilson, Alex Hevia, Jasmine Glick, Peter Wilson, Martin Dolgiej, Peter Ovelmen, Yuxin Huang, Christian Jaffe, Dr. Jones

|Books| Great Reads As you read this issue of the Aerie Magazine and reflect on all of the wonderful projects described by our students and faculty, you might stop and ask yourself, “What can I be doing for my community, for those less fortunate?” The following books might be just what you need for inspiration and ideas. They contain both moving stories of people who have truly made a difference and concrete examples of how you can get started. So, read, reflect, and then react. The world will be a better place.

Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace.... One School at a Time

by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin Anyone who despairs of the individual’s power to change lives has to read the story of Greg Mortenson, a homeless mountaineer who, following a 1993 climb of Pakistan’s treacherous K2, was inspired by a chance encounter with impoverished mountain villagers and promised to build them a school. Over the next decade he built fifty-five schools—especially for girls—that offer a balanced education in one of the most isolated and dangerous regions on earth. As it chronicles Mortenson’s quest, which has brought him into conflict with both enraged Islamists and uncomprehending Americans, Three Cups of Tea combines adventure with a celebration of the humanitarian spirit.

(Penguin, 2007)

Middle Row: Sadiki Saunders, Alex Noghaven, Taylor Haas, Cherelle Connor, Felicia Burke, Alexander Dudley, Shirin Razdan, Paulina Toro. Front Row: Maria Rivera, Lauren Mann, Natalia Matallana, Mrs. Vogel

Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World by Bill Clinton Here, from Bill Clinton, is a call to action. Giving is an inspiring look at how each of us can change the world. First, it reveals the extraordinary and innovative efforts now being made by companies and organizations—and by individuals—to solve problems and save lives both “down the street and around the world.” Then it urges us to seek out what each of us, “regardless of income, available time, age, and skills,” can do to help, to give people a chance to live out their dreams. Bill Clinton shares his own experiences and those of other givers, representing a global flood of nongovernmental, nonprofit activity. These remarkable stories demonstrate that gifts of time, skills, things, and ideas are as important and effective as contributions of money. From Bill and Melinda Gates to a six-yearold California girl named McKenzie Steiner, who organized and supervised drives to clean up the beach in her community, Clinton introduces us to both well-known and unknown heroes of giving.

(Knopf, 2007) Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope

by Jenna Bush and Mia Baxter Ana’s Story is a work of narrative nonfiction based on Jenna’s experiences while interning for UNICEF and documenting lives of children and teens she encountered through her work. The book focuses on Ana, a teenage single mother, who is bravely living with, rather than dying from, HIV. Ana’s determination has allowed her to overcome abuse and abandonment and fight for an education and a better future -continued

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Bird’s Eye View |Books| Great Reads (continued) for her child. Inspired by the framework of one girl’s life, it is also the story of many children around the world who are marginalized and excluded from basic care, support, and education. Jenna Bush sends a message of hope, inclusion, and survival, and calls for youth involvement in helping other young people triumph over adversity.

(Harper Collins, 2007) Stick Your Neck Out: A Street-Smart Guide to Creating Change in Your Community and Beyond by John Graham Meeting challenges and resolving conflicts are things that can be done by anyone with the passion to do so, according to John Graham. And he should know. A veteran conflict mediator, Graham heads the Giraffe Heroes Project, whose extensive workshops have helped communities, cities, organizations, and individuals deal with challenge and change. Stick Your Neck Out is based on those experiences.

The book details the skills, qualities, and strategies required to make a difference, with profiles of problem-solvers and activists from doctors to waitresses, who have all acted like giraffes and “stuck their necks out” to address issues like poverty, gang violence, and pollution. Graham’s concepts and coaching tips, from communicating with sensitivity to more urgent actions like filing complaints and protesting, apply equally well to macro and micro issues, all the way down to interfamily squabbles and work conflicts.

Graham’s “giraffes” have tested his ideas in the real-life situations recounted here, and shown that they work. (Berrett-Koehler, 2005) 365 Ways To Change the World: How to Make a Difference-One Day at a Time by Michael Norton You want to make a difference in the world, but don’t know where to begin.

Now you can. Here is just the guide to lots of exciting ways that are more personal and fun than merely writing a check. For every day of the year, 365 Ways to Change the World is packed with information and ideas that don’t take a lot of special skills to put into action, but will achieve something positive. The suggestions cover twelve important areas in which you can influence change, including in your local community, as a consumer, making a cultural contribution, and addressing problems such as the environment, health, and human rights. You can go through the book day by day or use the index to flip to the issues that concern you most; to help you take action, a complementary website links straight to many of the sources listed in the book.

Great to give as well as to keep, this is an inspiring, practical resource for making the world a better place -- one day at a time.

(Free Press, 2007) By Ruthanne Vogel, PTS Librarian 10

|Sports| Fall Sports Bring Rewards to Falcons Even though our Falcon teams started playing way back in August, the Fall Sports Season seems like it was only yesterday. Palmer Trinity student athletes serving, spiking, running, and tackling all in the name of Falcon Athletics! During the Fall Season we fielded teams for our boys and girls ranging from sixth grade all the way up to seniors, and virtually all of them experienced a high degree of success, both on the scoreboard and, more importantly, in the spirit of competition.

BABY FALCONS In our Football Program, we had a historic first – a first ever WIN by our first ever 6th grade football team! Head Coach Ernest Robertson Jr. directed 18 young boys through their first steps in becoming Falcon football players from how to put on their helmets and shoulder pads, to how to celebrate a victory, as the “Baby Falcons” knocked off their rivals from Ransom Everglades by a final score of 6-0. Congratulations to the Falcons of the Future!

VARSITY FOOTBALL The Varsity Football Team also made history as the Falcons qualified for the FHSAA Football Playoffs for the first time in 26 years. Head Coach Darryl Maple had a seniordominated squad (21 seniors) led by quarterback Aleck DaGrosa, David Omachonu and Stephen Marbert on offense along with Nick Benenati, Eric Lampert, and Danny Fresco on defense. The team was very competitive throughout the season, playing a total of three overtime periods while showing an explosive offense and a hard-hitting defense. The future is definitely bright for Falcon Football.

GOLF Continuing Palmer Trinity’s success, Head Coach Mike Ford’s Golf team reeled off victories in 12 of their 13 matches. Landon Michelson and Ledah Geller were the top two players, qualifying for the Regional Championships in a very tough South Florida

Campus News on skills and game situations and also got to experience the “real thing” by playing in a number of Blue vs. Gold games.

Francisco Geller, Trenton Barnes, Luis Lopez-Blazquez, Cameron McDonough, Tyler Fisk, Landon Michelson.

Not pictured: Ledah Geller and Daniel McCain Lower Left: Ledah Geller and Coach Mike Ford

District. With his entire team returning in 2009, Coach Ford feels that Palmer Trinity can definitely challenge for one of the team spots to advance to Regionals and possibly to State.

CHEERLEADERS Helping cheer our competitive teams on to greatness were our Varsity and Middle School Cheerleading teams under the direction of our head cheer coach, Heather Coule Bardier. The cheerleaders worked throughout the week to promote the games and encourage our students and staff to attend and help cheer the Falcons on to victory. This year’s squad had several seniors who truly helped raise the level of Falcon Pride throughout our campus, they were: Laura Chumbley, Jessica DeCecchi, Jessica Mazon, Victoria Porto, Martha Renteria, Emily Tarbe, Ana Uzquiano, Angela Vallecilla, Paula Vizcarra, Lily Watkins, Livia Wogan.

VOLLEYBALL The memorable season was capped off when the Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team fashioned a thrilling victory over their rival, Westminster Christian, to win the District 16 Championship.

The Falcons followed that with a dominating run through the playoffs, culminating in a Region IV Championship, which qualified them for the FHSAA Final Four Tournament, where they finished second in Florida for 2-A schools! Head Coach William Gonzalez‘s team was a collection of outstanding players including Laura Posada, Katie Titley, Paulina Prieto, Hailey Wood, Kirsten Ferreira and Sarah Alfonso. Posada and Prieto were both selected as First Team All County by the Miami Herald.

The volleyball program also had a famous first by adding a new Intramural team for our Middle School Girls. Ani Regalado served as the girls’ head coach for the 17-member team, which worked

CROSS COUNTRY Our Cross Country teams also made great “strides” with the Boys’ team winning both the District and the Regional Championship Meets for the third straight yearaccomplishing a rare “Double 3-Peat.” The boys then went up to the State Meet, and under very challenging conditions, ran to a very strong seventh place finish as a team. The Falcons were led by the “Dynamic Duo” of Mark Allen and Justin Weatherspoon, both of whom made huge improvements in their times under the direction of Head Coach Doug Gross. The Girls’ Team also had a strong season, led by Cindy Chang and Hanne Staertzel, who both return next year along with almost all of their teammates.

Left to Right: Mark Allen, Justin Weatherspoon, Armando Porto, Zachary Schwartz, Matthew Benenati, Anthony Schiappa Pietra, Luis Asensio, Sebastian Fernandez-Pla, Coach Doug Gross not pictured: Stefan Staertzel As the seasons go by, one constant is the sound of Palmer Trinity students on the fields and the courts. Fall Season and its great memories have given way to the current Winter sport season, which features Basketball and Soccer. Many of our fall athletes have moved right into playing a second sport while many new faces have also appeared to help continue the tradition of excellence in athletic achievement. GO FALCONS!

By Dr. Jake von Scherrer, Athletic Director

Aerie 11

Making a World Genesis 12:2-3 The LORD had said to Abraham, 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you … and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

“And all peoples on earth will be blessed through you!” What a magnificent promise!

Tyler Kalbac at the ING Team Challenge for Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America

Robert Chester and Peter Wilson at Beach Clean up

Service has always been an important part of my life.

Growing up, I remember my mom always helping our elderly neighbors and taking care of friends when they were in need. We would help in the yard, deliver baked goods, and simply spend time together. Her example of loving others and desiring to be a positive force in our community, helping one person at a time, continues to impact my life and forms the basis for how I view my role as Director of Community Service at Palmer Trinity.

I find the most meaning in the work we do on the Nicaragua trip. My first visit to Nicaragua was a life-changing experience. I realized how much we enjoy in the United States, particularly here in the suburbs of Miami. After witnessing the vast differences between the living conditions in the two countries, I realized how important it is to care for others whenever we can, and to use the blessings we are given to bless others. I desperately wanted others to experience similar life-changing experiences and have their eyes opened to more of the world. I wanted them to see where they can make a difference, to discover their own gifts, and to learn how to use those gifts to assist others. I took that first trip to Nicaragua eight years ago, and the passion I felt then continues to grow with each return trip.

Palmer Trinity has always upheld the idea of caring for others and reaching out to those in need. We readily come together to provide love and support for each other, our neighbors next door, our sister schools across the country, troops overseas, and nations around the world. When disasters strike, I have never seen a community come

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Front Row: Susana Matallana, Sarah Tillett, Carolina Aguirre, Elizabeth Clavijo and Daniella Almanza. Back Row: Andrew Miller, Lucas Pagano, Steven Anguiera, and Sebastian Fernandez-Pla were among the many students collecting Thanksgiving Baskets for the homeless.

d of Difference

By Heather Coule Bardier, Director of Community Service

together like PTS to make a difference and do our part to help meet people’s needs.

As I look back over the last year and a half that I have served in this role, I delight in the great things we, as a community, have been able to accomplish. We have raised over $24,856 for various foundations and disaster relief funds. Our upper school students have logged over 4,865 hours of community service, volunteering their time in various projects like working with children at clinics and summer camps, helping our environment, working at community philanthropic events, serving meals at homeless shelters, and building homes for families in need.

While recognizing and celebrating these successes, we must also see that there is much more we can do. The list of opportunities is endless. My hope is that all individuals will find places where they can use their gifts to serve others with a compassionate heart. My desire is that every project we do as a community initiates from a passion of the members of the PTS family when they recognize a need that we can help meet. We need meaningful activities that provoke an interest in serving others – not because it makes one feel good, but because there is a need. The focus is on others, not gaining hours or recognitions.

Stefan Zachar and Waleed Mneimneh participated in the 8th Annual MiamiDade Walk Now for Autism

Yuxin Huang, Lauren Patao, Rebecca Merritt, Stephanie Castillo, and Cristina Hernandez serving food at CPHI

Community Service reflects commitment, volunteerism, and service to improve the welfare of others in and beyond the borders of Palmer Trinity. People always need other people, and I am delighted to be able to say that Palmer Trinity does not just say we are a loving and compassionate community, but we actually demonstrate that compassion.

The evidence can be found around the world from the faces of children in Africa to the faces of children in Miami who have been blessed by what we have been able to give.

“And all peoples on earth will be blessed through you!” I believe we are still fulfilling this promise that God gave to Abraham. The community of Palmer Trinity School has been blessed in many ways, and we are called and able to be a blessing to others.

P ERSPEC T IVE S 13

ECO-CLUB

By Leann Winn, Science Department

Stewart L. Udall, a politician and environmental advocate, stated that: “We stand today poised on a pinnacle of wealth and power, yet we live in a land of vanishing beauty, of increasing ugliness, of shrinking open space and of an overall environment that is diminished daily by pollution and noise and blight. This, in brief, is the quiet conservation crisis.”

Imagine getting an up close and personal experience with such species as Atlantic Sharpnose, Blacktip, Bull, Hammerhead, Lemon, and Tiger sharks without having to get into the water. Through collaborative work with the South Florida Student Shark Program (SFFSP), students learn practical, hands-on marine science skills while connecting knowledge acquired in more traditional classroom setting.

In the last few years the Outdoor Education Program, coordinated by Mr. Robert McGlynn, has given students at every level an opportunity, such as Outward Bound and SeaCamp, to gain an appreciation for surrounding ecosystems. His passion is driven in hopes that through their experiences each student will develop a desire to see these places preserved and cared for. Also, the Center for Ecological Learning and Sustainability, coordinated by Mr. Mario Yanez, has given all students an opportunity to understand and respect the elements of our community here on campus. With the leadership and guidance of Eco Leaders, he hopes that students will take what they practice on campus, such as recycling and composting, and spread what they have learned beyond the gates of Palmer Trinity School.

William Trae Kerdyk, 11th grade, gives me hope when he writes, “The program exposed me to a new perspective as to what a marine biologist actually does for work. The trip we took was so exciting and seemed to spark many different interests in me. I cannot wait for the next trip, and I am hoping to continue pursuing my interests by participating in similar programs.” I hope that the students begin to understand the complexity of their coastal marine ecosystem, the effects of their activities on that ecosystem and become ocean advocates.

I share similar passions and desires of both; therefore, I have reformed the Eco Club. In doing so I am dedicated to expanding knowledge of, respect for and involvement with the natural world through outings and community service to areas within our bioregion, while teaching others the importance of caring for our planet. This school year, in the past few months alone, I have been able to take the students on a number of immersions.

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Students participate in all immersions freely and without any reward but the opportunity. Christian Pfeiffer, 9th grade, said he would go again. “Not only was this a lot of fun, but I learned that this also helps our understanding of patterns and changes in our ecosystem, and the fact that helping out and having fun can occur at the same time has really made me glad that I decided to take a day and go out on the water and help out.“ Catriona Luxford, an exchange student from Australia commented, “The shark trip was very exciting, and I am really glad for the

experience. Catching and tagging 13 sharks made me think about just how important team work is, and working fast to ensure the shark returns to the water quickly. It is a great opportunity we are given, to work with the SFSSP and participate in the research which will help to discover more about sharks and medical situations.”

Students, through experience, appreciate the gifts of the planet, rather than take them for granted. There is so much more than what they see out in plain sight during the day. In hopes of giving them a glimpse, we ventured on a night hike through the Matheson Hammocks where students were able to experience nature in its prime time of activity, after dark. They focused on being quiet, in order to not disturb or scare the wildlife. They were also asked to walk slowly, enabling them to key into their surroundings and take in the entire experience. Students kept their usage of flashlights to a minimum to allow their eyes to see with the light of the moon. Prior and throughout the hike the students were given background information regarding the area in which they were walking through. A highlight of the evening was a cave we stumbled upon and were able to crawl into.

Some people take for granted the simple joy of living so close to the beach.

In an effort to have the students take a look in their own backyard so to speak, with the help of Heather Coule Bardier, Coordinator of Community Service, we were able to gather over 40 students to participate in the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. Students need to realize the role they play within the destruction and preservation of this planet, their planet. During the clean up, Andrea Rey and Camila Victoriano found a dead fish, a trunkfish to be exact, and appeared to be very sad. When I inquired as to what they thought had happened, they immediately hypothesized that it was probably due to the toxicity or harmful pollutants in the water.

Imagine being asked to be an advocate for something you have never witnessed and know hardly anything about. In hopes of giving the students such an opportunity regarding the Everglades, we embarked on a 3 day camping trip. Elizabeth Newman, 9th grade, commented, “We became connected with the earth and our Florida environment by spending a couple of days with nothing but shelter and food. We learned about respecting animals and the environment around us.”

Senegalese environmentalist, Dr. Baba Dioum, said “In the end, we conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand. We understand only what we are taught.” Whether you are a life-long resident of Florida or not, once you encounter its beauty you will indeed become an advocate for its preservation. Through various opportunities I hope to foster voices, which cry out for our planet in hopes of protecting her in what may be her darkest moment. My goal is to help students realize their place within the universe and respect that delicate balance.

Opposite Page: Bailey Evans, Hanne Staertzel, and Fernanda Rojas.

Top right: Beach clean -up: Paula Franco, Jessica Salgado, and Victoria Alvarez Arango Middle picture: Zach Tassler, Christian Pfeiffer Bottom picture: Night hike: Mr. Yanez, Vanessa Zabala, Ms. Winn, Alexandra Daud, Rebecca Merritt, Zachary Tassler, Janelle Mendez

P ERSPEC T IVE S 15

Neat Stuff

Helps Kids

By Susi Cetta, Director of Major Gifts

Mother Theresa once said, “Try to give unconditionally whatever a person needs in the moment. The point is to do something, however small, and show you care through your actions by giving your time.” Neat Stuff is a wonderful place to serve others and it fills you with gratitude for the possibilities of mankind. My volunteer work helped a mom named Maria…

Maria, is a 33 year old homeless mother of four children ranging from ages 1 to 7. She currently calls a downtown shelter home, and is unsure about her future. She is happy about finally freeing herself from an abusive relationship with her husband of 10 years. At the core, Maria is not very different from you and I- she wants very much for her children to be happy and healthy. Maria says, “I want them to have a better life than I’ve had. I want them to be safe, to have a place to call home, to finish school, and go to college.” She tells of how recently, she didn’t have any money to purchase clothing and school uniforms for her children and worried they would not be ready for the new school year. Luckily, the homeless shelter social worker knew about Neat Stuff, to provide Maria and her children, the clothing they desperately needed.

I later learned that Maria’s family was placed in safe housing, mom now has a job and the children are enrolled in day care and school. The children were able to visit the Neat Stuff store and each child received a week’s worth of brand new casual clothing, pajamas, undergarments, shoes and school uniforms. The basic needs of clothing and shelter provide a sense of security and safetythankfully, this family is on their way to building their future.

Since 2007, Palmer Trinity students have been providing community service hours at the Neat Stuff store, by (1) sorting and organizing clothing donations, (2) hosting clothing and sock drives, and (3) helping out with special events. Heather Coule Bardier, Palmer Trinity School’s, Director of Community Service said, “I think Neat Stuff is a great place for our students to serve because they have the opportunity to impact the lives of children in our local community. The interactions with the children and the assistance they provide to the organization help them see they can make a difference. Our students learn more about themselves and experience the blessings of giving their time to help others.”

Palmer Trinity Seniors Cole Brockway and Michael Borguss have been outstanding volunteers for Neat Stuff this past year. They have truly made a difference in helping the children we serve,

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by unpacking pallets of clothing, organizing and stocking the shelves of our new South store (which is set to open in a couple of months). Cole has also personally solicited donations from his family and friends on behalf of Neat Stuff’s children.

Left to Right: Daniel Alfonso, Sadiki Saunders, Gina Tomasetti, Ali Fuog, Lindsey Richie, Luis Asensio, and Nick Gangemi.

About Neat Stuff

Michael Borguss and Cole Brockway

Neat Stuff is a one-of-a-kind non-profit organization that, for the past 13 years has provided free new clothing assistance to thousands of abused, neglected, homeless and other at-risk children in Miami Dade County (8,000 per year). Neat Stuff serves children from birth to 18 who are in foster care, local homeless shelters, and are referred by participating social service agencies. Many foster children are removed from their homes with the clothes on their backs and it is Neat Stuff that provides them with a sense of normalcy. Believe it or not, ill-fitting and age inappropriate clothing has negatively impacted children’s attendance, participation and ability to learn in school. By helping these children look more “normal” it helps them settle into school so they can get down to the business of learning. For many of the children, this is the first time they have ever had clothes or shoes with store tags still on them.

How to Help If you are interested in helping, please visit the Neat Stuff website at:

www.neatstuffhelpskids.org.

Daniel Omachonu, Fernando Castillo, and Kenny Zheng

Neat Stuff is a wonderful place for individual students or student clubs to earn their community service hours needed for high school graduation.

For more information, please contact Neat Stuff’s Executive Director, Franklin Monjarrez, at franklin@neatstuffhelpskids.org or 305-638-5878 to coordinate these activities.

Stefano Aime, Nathalia Moreira, Margaret Franklin, Mrs. Sandi Wood

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” ~Edward Everett Hale 17

M

S

ERMELLO P .

’S

READING ROOM

By Darlene Bell-Alexander, PTS Parent

I was moved to action when I returned to reopen my law practice in my neighborhood and realized students and parents were struggling to find assistance and answers to academic issues and problems. I recalled a dream that my mother expressed when I was younger as she and my father worked hard to build the family business. She envisioned providing a place of learning for the community that would serve the many residents.

Recognizing the need and with remnants of my mother’s dream, I stepped out on faith with encouragement from my family and friends, to create Ms. Permello’s Reading Room.

Ms. Permello’s Reading Room, the first initiative of The Center of Knowledge and Learning, Inc. (CKL), a nonprofit organization, was created to serve as a quaint place to advance education by providing programs that promote education, learning and empowerment in African-American communities. The lack of resources close to the homes of students and parents prompted me to locate the Reading Room right in my neighborhood of West Perrine. Named after my paternal grandmother who cared for children in the community, the Reading Room is located adjacent to my

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Darlene Bell-Alexander (PTS parents), and Jonathan Alexander

family’s business, Short Stop Properties, Inc. I had no doubt the residents would immediately view the Reading Room as a much needed academic resource in the community. Our family is an integral part of this community, and has been for many years not only as residents but as a business committed to the community. I believe we have the unique ability to have an even greater impact on families because we are familiar faces.

Since the Reading Room opened in December of 2007, the Reading Room has received over 10,000 donated books, many of which fill the bookshelves hand-crafted by my husband, Audwin. Visitors carefully choose books while walking over floors installed by my two oldest sons, Johnathan, a PTS senior and Dwight, a student in Miami Coral Park’s Engineering magnet program. Books can be checked out or enjoyed at the Reading Room. Parents and students tell me that the personal service that is offered to students in the small group tutoring sessions are what makes the sessions more effective and helpful. Many view the added community academic resource as a blessing.

During the last school year, parents and community residents

Girl Scouts searching for a great read

completed over 600 hours tutoring and assisting students with their academic needs. In conjunction with Miami Dade County’s Team Metro and other business such as Home Depot, the Quiet Garden was created. Over 125 students received book bags and school supplies for the new school year. The first 10 week session of SAT/ACT college test preparation tutoring offered for high school students recently ended. On Saturday, December 13, 2008, CKL hosted the Second Annual Celebration and Book Fair at the Reading Room. During the Book Fair, local authors were featured, children chose books to read while sitting in the Reading Chair decorated with book-themed upholstery, and local vendors made the holiday celebration fun for all. Local businesses such as Sofisa Bank and Community Bank helped sponsor last year’s book fair which had approximately 500 persons in attendance. First Book, an initiative through University of Miami’s H.O.P.E. project offered up the first donation to the Reading Room for the event - 1,000 books from Scholastic.

The success of the Reading Room can be contributed in large part to the efforts and contributions of the community residents who volunteer or donate books. The Reading Room is fortunate to have the help of friends like Palmer Trinity’s staff, students, alumni and parents that just jump in and help. It is really inspiring. The Reading Room has received several hundred books from PTS and

PTS parents. One PTS graduate, Lauren Benenati volunteered every Saturday last summer to help kindergarteners prepare for the first grade. With an invitation from PTS’ Mrs. Vogel, I have also had the pleasure of speaking to the PTS Book Club.

My goal of empowering my community begins with the art of giving and receiving. Parents are expected to contribute to the program in some form or fashion, whether it is by providing snacks for a tutoring session or volunteering to read. I believe giving to others and receiving from others should both be exercises in empowerment for the giver and receiver. “An important component of the program is parental and community involvement - neither of which have been in short supply at the Reading Room.

The young ladies of Girl Scout Troop 1896, led by Troop Leader Tammy Blakely, help to sort books on a Saturday at Ms. Permello’s Reading Room. The books in the photo were all donated by lawyers at the Miami law firms of Hogan & Hartson and Kozyak Tropin and Throckmorton in preparation of the 2nd Annual Celebration and Book Fair. Bell-Alexander says organizations like Girl Scout Troop 1896 have made great contributions of time to the Reading Room, which is in keeping with the spirit of empowerment and community.

Girl Scouts enjoy a story in the comfort of Ms. Permello’s reading room.

P ERSPEC T IVE S 19

Everyone loves a story! Everyone has a story! Everyone is in

a story! We often don’t reflect or re-contextualize or reconnect the sequential parts of our lives until in the second half of life. There is however a wisdom to be had in starting earlier.

Therefore when our story takes a “strange turn of events” perhaps the shock, surprise, or stress may not catch us completely off guard. In the film, Forrest Gump, he reflects and reconnects his life on that bus bench. Forrest’s well-lived story reminds us too that even when our lives seem to be like a feather floating aimlessly, fatefully or perhaps both, we do realize a profound truth. We sense in some deeper, valuable place inside that it is in “giving ourselves away” that we become a more complete human being. Community service is one such place to take on this noble act.

Giving Ourselves Away

Cecilia Leal, Briana Henry, and Cristina Hernandez mix concrete for use in building a home.

Martha Renteria, Anna Uzquiano, Livia Wogan, Emily Tarbe, Angela Vallecilla, Katie Difede, and Brooke Sonenreich at Race for the Cure.

Listening to students and faculty speak during convocation following their trip to build homes in Nicaragua tells of such a noble story. Walking with crowds of people who support a cause such as Race for the Cure tells such a noble story. And hearing seniors talk about their day at Habit for Humanity re-contextualizes a story of caring by giving their time and energy. These and numerous other examples tell of the great story when “giving ourselves away” to community service. But there is more…

as Forrest Gump, Betty reminded me of Forrest at his best while Gracie was Lt. Dan at his worst. Who might we become as we grow older in age?

Community service is a two way street. Once upon a time, I worked in a residential nursing home for persons who all had virtually lost their “sense of reality”. It is easy to grow hardened and afraid in such a place due to the nature of these 250 unique persons. There was Betty who greeted us each day at 6:00 am outside the elevator with a smile and a proposal, “will you marry me”!

On the other hand, Gracie, bless her heart, was full of disenchantment while guarding her wheel chair turf and grumbling for her father to take her home.

Like a nursing home parable or film such 20

By Chaplain Jay Lentz

There are always more lessons to learn in life. The people we serve can each teach us much more than we might learn in a classroom. And thus for adults and students as well, such service can become invaluable.

At PTS, we are given an extraordinary opportunity as students and faculty alike to serve in varied community service projects.

Some of us have been taught to care give through family expectations or religious training. Some of us have it in our DNA, being hard wired for such service. Some of us are simply not ready yet to take on this challenge in a mutually beneficial way. And yet I suspect that when community service draws us like a great book, a powerful movie, an engaging play, or with the enthusiasm of a sports event, then many more of us may discover the deeper rewards found “in giving ourselves away” to such moments of grace. Who knows what impact such a moment may have on our life story? And who knows what might be missed in saying No to an opportunity to “give ourselves away” for a few hours.

Our Civic Duty in a

Changing World

By Peter Masteller, Religious Studies and Kenley Smith, English Department

Because the strength of a democracy depends on its citizens, citizenship should entail more than voting, paying your taxes, waving a flag, not breaking laws, and taking care of yourself. A strong, healthy democracy requires critical thinkers who possess strong convictions while remaining open-minded. This is why the quality of a democracy depends in large part on the quality of the education of its citizens.

While this process is neither tidy nor easy, it can be transfigurative.

Awareness alone is insufficient for good citizenship; for a democracy to flourish, its citizens also need critical thinking skills. This was especially evident during the recent election when we were bombarded with incredible amounts of information. Some of this information was credible, some was not, and most of it was strongly biased. Many people are trying to convince us to think, purchase, believe, and vote as they do, so if our students lack critical thinking skills their choices could be easily swayed by false logic, misrepresentations of the truth, or superficial but popular sentiments.

A necessary component of this education is an awareness of complicated realities. The tendency to avoid the confusing and uncomfortable aspects of our These expectations of democracy world is understandable, but it are one reason why so many does not equip our students to teachers at Palmer Trinity teach understand the world in which in a seminar style or employ the they live. This conviction drives Harkness methodology. Citizens many of the curricular choices in in a democracy need to possess Palmer Trinity’s Humanities classes. information, but they need to be When a seventh grader reads about able to go beyond the facts to find China’s Cultural Revolution in Red truth on their own. By thinking Scarf Girl or a sophomore reads actively and analytically instead about the Cambodian genocide of just passively consuming and in First They Killed My Father, repeating information, our students they are learning that they live in are training themselves to become a profoundly broken world that innovative leaders rather than requires healing. When eighth knowledgeable followers. graders read To Kill a Mockingbird and juniors read The White Man’s Education is not an end in itself; Burden, they learn that the pride Students in the Honors Seminar in Religion in America: education always has many that they have in the United Margaret Cookson, Carla Forns, Tiffani Hiler, Christian purposes, such as acquiring job States should be accompanied by a Jaffe, Lisa Krstajic, Luis Lopez-Blazquez, Peter Ovelmen, training or achieving economic Laura Portuondo, Josefina Rochette, Joan Ronstadt, Joey sobering understanding that their Santilli, Paulina Toro, Isabelle Verwaay, Adam Wilson. security. However, as teachers our country has not always lived up to priority is guiding our students to its own admirable ideals. These lessons cultivate good citizenship become strong citizens and, more broadly, human beings. If we are because once students are aware of the prevalence of oppression in the successful, by the time students graduate from Palmer Trinity they world, they are better equipped to identify and oppose it when they will have both the skills and the desire to work for progress and social encounter it in their own lives. justice in their communities, their nation, and their world.

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ART STUDIO

By Alexandra Katzman, Art Department Chair

On November 25, the art department held their 2nd annual open studio day. Once a year, the art teachers open their doors to students and faculty to view a collection of the best work from their classes. This year, the work remained on display for Grandparents and Special Friends Day, providing a unique opportunity for family and friends to get an inside look at what goes on in our classrooms. While it is an honor for the students to have a piece in the show, this is also a great occasion for those who might not frequent the art rooms to see what it is that we do all day. Often, it is a real treat for teachers to see their students in a new light and discover that they have a hidden talent. The real joy comes when one is drawn to a work for its aesthetic beauty, and then is pleasantly surprised when they see who created it. The amount of talent at our school is truly astounding, and often, the student who might sit quietly in the back of his academic classes excels in the art room, finding it easier express himself through art. Students enrolled in art classes reap benefits far beyond that which can be quantified. Here, we aim to teach our kids to see better, to envision, to make critical judgments, and justify those judgments intelligently.

Senior, Nick Benenati can often be found in the ceramics studio. Currently enrolled in Mr. Moorhouse’s class, he says “I love ceramics. It requires a lot of concentration, but at the same time, it’s a lot of fun.

It took almost 8 weeks of practice before I could make anything, but once you get it, it’s great. I use almost everything that I’ve made in class.”

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Junior Santiago Rojas has been taking art since he first came to PTS in 7th grade. He dabbled in some 3-Dimensional art classes during his freshman year, but has since returned to his true love, painting. A man of few words, but tremendous talent, he says: “I like painting. It relaxes me and makes me forget about everything else.” His teacher, Mrs. Katzman says, “He effortlessly executes masterpieces on a weekly basis.

Santiago holds himself up to such a high standard that he will not settle for anything less.”

Eighth grader Nicole Font did not choose to take Mrs. Wood’s Digital Art class, but she has ended up loving it. She enjoys that the class is after lunch and says “it’s a great chance for me to wind down.”

Newly armed with digital imaging skills, her mother has asked her to design the family’s holiday card this year. Her piece shown here is based on David Hockney’s photo collages. Stemming from Cubism, his photos attempted to show multiple perspectives simultaneously.

In sixth grade, the students’ schedules rotate every 6 weeks so that they may sample some of the electives that we offer. They take Latin, Chinese, French, Spanish, Computers, and Art. 6th grader Emily Franklin, shown here with her first pinch pot, says “I liked making this pot because I got to play with clay.

My one piece of advice would be to wear a smock! Other than that, I think that art is easy because there isn’t a right or wrong way to do things. You can do it any way you want to.”

Whether they are stopping in for a semester or they have begun to foster a lifelong love of art, our students are doing something that no one can take away from them. They are creating beauty in their everyday lives, and we, as viewers, are lucky enough to witness their creations.

If you missed our open house, please look for more student artwork at our Spring Student Show in April.

23

The Literary Channel:

Mitchell Kaplan

By Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja

A quick look at the Books & Books website www.booksandbooks.com will tell you a very important thing about its owner and founder, Mitchell Kaplan: he loves writers. While other bookstore sites detail bestseller lists, video game reviews, and sale items, Books & Books highlights writers front and center. “Writers were always my heroes,” Mitchell said to me as we sat across from each other in the Bookstore’s cozy café. “I think that working with writers fulfills my creative tendencies; getting readers and writers together is, for me, most satisfying.”

Creative tendencies, indeed. Florida-native Kaplan opened Books & Books in 1983, and it remains one of the most successful independent bookstores in the country, and the only large independent bookstore in South Florida. His respect for the written word and those who write them has enabled him to find success as an independent, despite the public’s predilection for online ordering and mega-store shopping. One of his biggest insights was having touring authors stop in his store for readings, lectures, and book signings. Doing so has created an environment where authors feel respected and readers are enthralled.

Born at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Kaplan grew up in predominantly Jewish Miami Beach with his father, a lawyer, and mother, a stay-at-home mom.

His parents encouraged him to find a fulfilling career, the seeds of which were planted during his time at the University of Colorado-Boulder, where his lifelong appreciation for independent bookstores became more serious. “When I got to college, I found out about stores like City Lights, and Shakespeare & Company—stores that were central to their communities,” he says. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in English, he came back to Miami and earned a Master’s of Education degree with an emphasis in English Literature from the University of Miami, while working at local book stores.

What would an educated literary fan turn to next? A logical choice: teaching. And even then, it was a book that inspired his role. Jonathan Kozol’s Death at an Early Age, a book about the failings of the Boston school system in the ‘60s, impacted Mitchell in his early teaching career. From 1980-1982 he taught Basic and Honors English classes at Southridge Senior High, in Miami, starting a thread that would lead to Books & Books.

24

Today, Kaplan serves as a literary channel, a notion he would no doubt scoff at, but nevertheless rings true. Igniting literary passion in others is his role, and he does so by honoring literary culture.

From the first location in Coral Gables in 1983, he opened a second location in 1989 on Lincoln Road in South Beach. From there it was in quick succession to The Bal Harbour Shops, and Cayman Islands Camana Bay Store locations. His vision of what an independent bookstore could be has remained the same throughout his decades in business. Author events, a knowledgeable staff, and a dizzying array of literature has created the Books & Books signature sense of community: “You really need to have your roots deep in the community. That’s what distinguishes us from other retail entities that sell books. We must make note of that and celebrate it whenever we can.” Educating readers while simultaneously discrediting the idea that reading is only a solitary event may be Kaplan’s greatest business success. A personal benefit for Kaplan? “Meeting major writers of the last twenty-five years like Vonnegut, Octavio Paz, Carlos Fuentes, and others,” he says.

The tag line for Books & Books is Independently Owned. Independent Minded. Community Oriented. Mitchell’s community work centers on the Miami Book Fair, which he helped found in 1984.

He served as the co-chair that year and has continued as co-chair for every year since. His main area is in programming and selection of authors. His community work also extends to the Miami Public Library Foundation Board. In addition, Kaplan has served as president of the American Booksellers Association, and presently serves on the Board of the American Booksellers Foundation for free expression.

It was Palmer Trinity’s community-mindedness that was a deciding feature when his boys were looking at schools. “The school clearly gives a sense of community and quality of community—Rachelle (Kaplan) and I really searched for this. And the sense of diversity was important too. PTS is a very welcoming place to all families.” Kaplan is happy that his boys are excelling at PTS. Daniel is developing his love of guitar, such that attending music school when he graduates is a possibility. Jonah loved his Public Speaking course, and both boys have found their own place on the varsity basketball team. Not surprisingly, the school’s approach to reading was a major factor in the decision making process: “Even before we applied, we were impressed with the quality of the summer reading list. This spoke very loudly as to the school’s sensibility.” Kaplan says. “The truth is, the importance of reading to education can never be underestimated.”

“Reading allows for contemplation and access to knowledge.”

-Mitchell Kaplan 25

PTS Golf Team

Tony Alonso ’94, Brett Schmulian, Brett French ’97, Ben Hoke

Luke Savage, Jon Lawrence ’98, Nathan Zeder ’98, Brian Gershen ’98

Joe Santilli, Marcelo Waisberg, Gary Metal, Ivan Marin

Steve Wilson, Eric Eckblom, Hayes Wood, Armando Mendoza

Bernardo Portuondo, John Madril, Brian Powell, Graham Andrew

Luis Villanueva, Horace Feliu, Rene Briiembourg

2009 Sandy Golf Committee Brett French ’97

Tony Alonso ’94

Co-Chair

Co-Chair

Chuck Klenk

Chris Block ’96

Co-Chair

Honorary Co-Chair

Michael Baiamonte Edgar Belaval ’89 Bob Booth Paula Brockway Sally Franklin Brian Gershen ’98 Joseph Kalbac

Jon Lawrence ’98 Lenny Roberts Scott Shelfer ’89 Michael Uzquiano Hope Victor Hayes Wood Nathan Zeder ’98

Bob Brockway ’82, Chris Block ’96, Brett French ’97, Tony Alonso ’94, and Chuck Klenk

A special thank you to our following sponsors for supporting Palmer Trinity School’s Sandy Golf Tournament:

Presenting Sponsor Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables and Mercedes-Benz of Cutler Bay, a Bill Ussery Motors Company

Eagle Sponsor Avco Painting Company Bal Harbour Shops The Block Family Camp Lenny Foundation Joseph J. Kalbac Jr. and his partners at Colson Hicks Eidson The Ethan Johnson Family Keen Battle Mead & Co Richman Greer, P.A. Shaw-Ross International Importers The Uzquiano Family

Birdie Sponsor DiMare Foundation Mr. Les Leech Torbert Produce

Underwriters

Jennie Block, Chris Block ’96, and Catherine Block

Chris Block ’96, Jaquen Castellanos ’09, Sean Murphy, and Bob Brockway ‘82

Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop & Madson, P.A. Mrs. Judy Andrews Associated Photo & Imaging Cavia Wines TY Custom Tile & Marble Inc. E-Tech Electric French Gershen Lawrence Zeder Partnership Foundation Trust GenEx Builders Geomantic Designs, Inc Mr. Carlos Menacho ‘88 LRG Construction The Morrison Family Mr. Joakim Nordqvist ‘79 Ramon Carpet Services, Inc R.B.S. Enterprises, Inc The Shelfer Family Sound Components, Inc. Trinity Air Conditioning Company LLC Verdeja & De Armas LLP

Alumnews Class Notes strenghthen the connection of our Alumni community to their classmates and their alma mater. AlumNews is the first section Alumni turn to when they receive the Aerie magazine, so this section is full of exciting and updated information. Please send us news for our next issue, log on to www.palmertrinity.org and click Alumni. Keep the updates coming!

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CLASS AGENTS

1974

1973 Class Agent Needed 1974 Julie (Coleman) Mansfield juliemansfield@comcast.net 1975 Jim Maher jmaher@koger.com 1976 Andy Hessen hesstang@aol.com 1977 Craig Zimmett cazfla@aol.com 1978 Tom Magenheimer tmagmai@aol.com 1979 Lori (Fogel) La Forgia ljlaforgia@gmail.com 1980 Class Agent Needed 1981 Lee Sterling psports@bellsouth.net 1982 Tracy Tabor Shelowitz tracy@martintabor.com 1983 Mary (Joyce) Wilburn marywilburn@bellsouth.net 1984 Peter Cutter guycutter@aol.com 1985 Dale Bennett RB9999@aol.com John Malloy jcmalloy@malloylaw.com 1986 Joelle (Wagshul) Steinberg jwagshul@aol.com 1987 Etienne Font etienne@claimscounsel.com Alyse (Fogarty) Bell deltav101@aol.com 1988 Elena (Essen) Endara partyuv5@bellsouth.net 1989 Scott Shelfer scott@exactaland.com 1990 Peter Baumberger psb@rbrlaw.com Alden Pimentel Pimentel@bellsouth.net 1991 Derek Fisher derfisher@aol.com 1992 Class Agent Needed 1993 Amanda Matalon amatalon@arnoldoil.com 1994 Charles Baumberger catcay@yahoo.com Campbell Walker cwalker@lincolnharris.com 1995 Kaitlin Blazejack kaitlin.blazejack@smith.alumnae.net 1996 Lynley WalkerCiorobea lynley3@yahoo.com 1997 Brett French brettfrench@yahoo.com 1998 Brian Gershen briangershen@gmail.com Preston Dickerson prestond@hotmail.com Nathan Zeder nz1305@aol.com 1999 Belinda Frieri BelindaFrieriBustillo@milliken.com 2000 Soozie Klock seklock@gmail.com 2001 Class Agent Needed 2002 Adria (Jenkins) Young sugarsweetpeachz@aol.com 2003 Dax Tejera r.dax.tejera@dartmouth.org Laura Ateca lateca@sas.upenn.edu 2004 Corina Lopez lopc0007@unf.edu Michael Contreras contremich@gmail.com 2005 Katey O’Regan katey613@yahoo.com 2006 Brandon McNary bmcnary@indiana.edu Ed Luckmann luckmann.e@neu.edu 2007 Brittany Kalbac babrit8347@aol.com 2008 Megan Cunningham megancunningham@live.com Ariel Moger mermaid708@hotmail.com

Julie (Coleman) Mansfield writes, “Back in 1974, it was a transitional time for Palmer School. We grew out of the temporary modules into the new buildings; there was huge faculty turnover, and overall uncertainty as to who would lead the school. The roughly 20 of us in the second graduating class shared an unusually close bond as the primary foundation for the school was being formed. It may have been a controversial time, but it was also an exciting one. My mother was active on the board and she shared all of the latest developments and successes with me. The school, faculty influences and the friendships of our diverse class of personalities have always been important to me. The early Palmer years actually infused me with tremendous confidence in life.

We were a supportive group and it has been life altering to reconnect with a solid handful of classmates, including Jim Wyatt, Mike Mills, Mark Delk, Sharyl Moore Jones, Susan Sheldon Sinscalchi, Libby Black and Mike Jessee. It seems to mean a great deal to them to be in touch again, and so interesting to learn what everyone is doing now. The friendships were complex because not everyone graduated with us, but friends such as Sandy Hunter and Marilyn Roach still have an allegiance to the school.

I have not given up on my determination to find and contact the remaining “at large” classmates, even from far away Boston.

A 35th reunion will only be a success if we get a majority back to the school and I personally will host a big party as a part of the festivities. I have embarked on this search, with amazing support from the PT Alumni office, via calling, writing, faxing, emailing and my last resort: flying around the country to bond with every one of you in person and encourage participation. I look forward to hearing from all of you!”

Jim Wyatt writes, “After leaving Palmer I went to Miami Dade Community College and received a degree in Civil Engineering. I then decided engineering was not for me so I went to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach where I got a BS in Aviation Administration and Management. Upon graduation I went to work for Eastern Airlines, which ended up being short lived (9 years) due to their demise. Then I decided to go into private enterprise doing government contract flying for the Department of Interior. After doing that for about 13 years in two locations in the South Florida area, I closed both locations due to the effects of the September 11th terrorist attack. Then I decided to capitalize on the housing boom and bought a bunch of houses and sold them all. Along came Hurricane Wilma and I decided to go into the roofing business. So now I’m enjoying life and working for Miami Dade County Park and Recreation and waiting for another hurricane. I have a beautiful daughter who is now 15 years old, I am still living in Homestead, and would love to help you with a reunion if you decide to put one together.” Shari (Moore) Jones writes, “After 17 years of living in Chandler, Arizona where I taught special education, my husband Jeff was transferred to Motorola in Austin, TX. His company has now changed to Freescale Semiconductor. I continue to teach, only now in English, and

Class Agent: Julie (Coleman) Mansfield juliemansfield@comcast.net

Alumnews 28

Mike Bagnell ’81 and Patrick Kinney ‘80

Ken Parker ’79, Coach Jim Higgins and Jay Nordqvist ‘79

Burford Smith ’81 and Al Eldredge ‘78

Hart Baur ’82, Bob Brockway ’82, and Laurence Moser ‘80

John Eldredge’78, Ed McLean ’81, and Jay Nordqvist ‘79

Kevin Buchwald ‘79, Ward Wilson ‘78, Tom Magenheimer ’78, Jim Higgins, and Christ Prokos ‘79

Karl Sturge ’82, Randy Weinstein ‘80, Lee Sterling ’81, Peter Carlos ’81 and Mark Sturge ‘83

Mark Sturge ’83, Dave Bergman ’82, and Steve Braswell ‘83

Athletic Director Jake Von Scherrer, Former Pirate Football Coach Jeff Capparelli, Head of School Sean Murphy

Alumni Pirate Football Team

PALMER

Scott Shelfer ’89, Carlos Menacho ’88, and Felix Riera ‘88

Elena DeVillers, Horacio Rodriguez ‘00, and Loreana Von Plocki ‘05

Michael Contreras ’04, Alexis Undorfer ’04, and Mimi Jacome ‘04

Richard Rosen, Jim Beverley, and Ed McLean ’81

Julie (Consuegra) Islami ’89, Jamie Eroncig ’89, Ricky Jofre ’90, Kelly (Kimmel) Guma ’89, and Michele (Baker) Benesch ‘89

Danny Reynolds, Rebecca Williams ’00, and Andre Carbonell ‘05

Quincy Walker ’99, Marco Carega ’99, Max Martinez ’99, Fiance, and David Malek ‘99

Jackie Latour ’00 and Soozie Klock ‘00

Lynley Walker-Ciorobea ’96, Peter Baumberger ’90, Elena DeVillers, Diana Baumberger, Charles Baumberger ’94, and Gheorge Ciorobea

2008 Alumni Holiday Party at

Blue Martini serve as department chair and the National Junior Honor Society sponsor. My daughter Jessica (age 26) still lives in Arizona where she graduated from ASU and works in the real estate field. Our son Russell (age 23), graduated from Cornell and works in Arlington, VA for Dean and Company. We are very proud of the kids and now as “empty nesters” fill up our vacations with travel and hobbies (his golf and mine scrapbooking). Most recently, we traveled to Ireland and are going to the wine country of Northern California. I got my BS degree from Florida State and MS from University of South Carolina. Jeff got his degree from ASU and his master’s at WIU. I have taught in South Carolina, California, Arizona and Texas - making it 31 years. I love my job and seeing my old students and their successes. It has been a good ride.” Mark Delk writes, “I can’t believe it’s been 34 years. I am still living in Homestead, in fact I sold my house in Key Largo and moved back into the house I grew up in. I am single with no kids. The last couple of years I have been going to Dragon*Con (a big sci-fi, fantasy convention) in Atlanta, GA. It’s a lot

of fun concerts, parties and costuming.”

Susan (Sheldon) Siniscalchi writes, “I have been married 25 years this year. I have one daughter who will be 24 years old in July. I am working for a company in Miami that makes Polypropylene siding for homes. Not much business in Florida but we are big up in the NE, Midwest and the South. It’s a high end product and of course since the housing market is in a slump and not much remodeling is going on, business

Alumnews 30

is slow this year. I have been with the company for eight years this October. I live in Plantation which is in Ft. Lauderdale with my husband Joe. Joe and I and another couple are going to Italy in September for three weeks to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. We are really excited. We are renting a car for a few days driving through Tuscany and Umbria then going on a 12 day Mediterranean cruise then back to Rome for four more days. Can’t wait!!! I was looking through the yearbooks a couple of months ago and it brought back so many fun memories.”

1977

Class Agent: Craig Zimmett cazfla@aol.com Dan Mummery lives in California with his wife, Frances Nuelle, and their two sons, Will and Alex.

They all came to Homecoming Weekend in October to celebrate the 30th Reunion of the Palmer Football

Team. Jon Greenwell and wife, Mary (Eldredge) Greenwell, attended the Football Reunion along with their kids, Katie (age 18) and Hunter (age 11). Raul Gonzalez lives in Miami and has two kids, Raul (age 21) and Cristina (age 16). Jac Clutter is a State Farm Insurance Agent who lives in Charleston, WV with his wife, Paula, and their two daughters, Abby (age 20) and Hannah (age 17). He was able to attend the Palmer Football Reunion and writes the Alumni Office, “I had not been back to the school for at least 25 years and it is amazing what has been accomplished. I am grateful that you took the time and effort to organize the reunion for us. We were able to renew friendships and see folks that we may never have had the opportunity to see again. Thanks!!”

1978 Class Agent: Tom Magenheimer tmagmai@aol.com

Tom Magenheimer writes, “My son is starting his senior year. We have been on several college trips this summer and have more planned this fall. He is being recruited to play baseball.” Tom Vellanti lives in Flat Rock, NC with wife, Tina, and their three kids, Regina (age 18), Marina (age 17), and Tommy (age 8). Ward Wilson lives in Brentwood, TN with wife, Paula, and their four kids, Mary Helen (age 19), Anna (age 17), Sarah (age 15), and Andrew (age 13).

1979 Class Agent: Lori (Fogel) Fa Forgia ljlaforgia@gmail.com

Steven Veingrad lives in Miami with wife, Susan, and their daughter, Erin (age 17). Steven works for the Miami-Dade Police Department.

1980

Class Agent Needed Joyce Strano moved recently to Tallahassee, FL. Michael Cushen lives in Davie, FL with wife, Thana, and their children Kristen (age 8) and Brian (age 6).

David Greenwell lives in Miami, FL with wife, Lisa, and their two kids, Michael (age 15) and Megan (age 12). David works as a Sergeant for the Miami-Dade Police Department. James Cole lives in Jacksonville, FL with wife, Mary, and their son Jamie. Laurence Moser lives in Miami Beach and works in advertising specialties (branded promotional products); his company is called Gateways Unlimited. He writes, “I am currently flying solo with no children (that I know of) and I’m staying in Miami for the holidays. It was exciting and fun seeing friends one hasn’t seen for 28 years at the Palmer Football Reunion!”

1981

Class Agent: Lee Sterling psports@bellsouth.net Ed McLean has been married to Karen for 25 years. He is Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Choice Farms in Miami. Ed writes, “I’m not a very sentimental person but the Palmer football reunion was absolutely fantastic, way better than I imagined it would be. It was really great to see the coaches and guys that I played with during my four years at Palmer. Those weren’t the easiest years of my life but looking back it was all worth it. I hope that the few that weren’t able to attend will find a way to make it to future events.” Mary Anne (Dooley) O’Dea writes, “We moved from Chicago in April as my husband was hired as the Special Teams Coordinator for the New York Jets.”

1982

Class Agent: Tracy Tabor Shelowitz tracy@martintabor.com Andrew Magenheimer lives in Miami with wife, Kim, and their two kids, Kelsey (age 12) and Kyle (age 10). Kelsey is in the 7th grade at Palmer Trinity.

Leonard Weinstein lives in Davie, FL with wife, Susie, and their two daughters, Lauren (age 6) and Sydney (age 4). Bob Hallstrand lives in Miami with his wife, Anette, and their two kids, Karl (age 13) and Christopher (age 10). Dave Bergeman lives in Randolph, NJ with wife, Dorothy, and their two kids, Carleigh (age 12) and Christina (age 9). Karl Sturge lives in Miami with wife, Ann Marie, and their three boys, Karl (age 13), Matthew (age 11), and William (age 7). Michael Gregory Tenn is a Doctor of Chiropractic at Tenn Chiropractic Clinic, Inc in Hoover, AL. He received his BS, DC, and CSCS from Logan College of Chiropractic.

1983

Class Agent: Mary (Joyce) Wilburn marywilburn@bellsouth.net Patrick Burke lives in Blowing Rock, NC and has a son, Austin (age 12). Scott Quint and his wife, Denise, live in Taveres, FL with their children Duncan (age 12) and Logan (age 10). Steve Braswell writes, “After attending the football reunion, the one thing that stuck in my mind is that it made me feel young again. I remember walking down to the football field and had the same butterflies in my stomach that I had just before getting ready to play in a football game 20 years ago. I told my wife that if I could go back to high school again, I would not change a thing. My wife’s name is Patricia and my daughter’s names

are Samantha (age 5), Alyssa (age 4), and Erika (15 months). The two oldest attend Wellington Christian School in Wellington, FL. As for my occupation, I started my own trucking business back in 1989 and currently have a fleet of over a thousand tractor/ trailers. I have bought and sold several other businesses as well. My other company develops and owns large parcels of commercial real estate. All my companies are headquartered in West Palm Beach, FL.” Kim Hayden lives in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA and is a consultant.

1984

Class Agent: Peter Cutter guycutter@aol.com Ashley Edmonds Cooke writes, “I am living in Annapolis, Maryland and love sailing and living on the water. I received my PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology several years ago and have been putting it to good use working as a consultant on projects in the Intelligence Community, which is quite fascinating.

I can’t wait for our 25th Reunion next June and I am trying to get all my classmates to attend!” Roy Weinfeld recently moved his law office to Brickell.

Roy concentrates in the areas of creditors’ rights and collections litigation. He is an AV Rated Attorney

by Martindale-Hubbell and practices in State, U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts throughout Florida.

1985

Class Agent: Dale Bennett RB9999@aol.com John Malloy jcmalloy@malloylaw.com Samantha Hero lives in the San Francisco area. She was married recently and wants to attend her 25 year reunion.

1988

Class Agent: Elena (Essen) Endara partyuv5@bellsouth.net Elkie (Smiley) Wienczkowski attended Florida State University and majored in Psychology. After receiving her degree, she received her master’s from Florida State’s Business School. She is now a Marketing Manager for a large company and enjoys her job. She does not keep in touch with people from her class, but was so happy to see many of her classmates at her reunion. She would love to see them at other events during the year and suggested having additional social gatherings each year. Both she and her husband are excited to welcome their first child into this world in

Alumnews 31

A l u m n i

S p o t l i g h t

Lisa Dwoskin-Woityra ‘88 I graduated from Palmer School in 1988, and I had a blast the six years while there. I was a cheerleader and in the Key Club with Mrs. R.G (now Ms. DV.) I went to every dance and every basketball and football game and I took advantage of everything Palmer had to offer! I loved the feeling of warmth that the school had to offer, the teachers, the students, the atmosphere of such a homey environment. It was small enough to really get to know everyone and feel like everyone really cared about you as an individual, not just a number like at bigger schools. In the Key Club, we did lots of service work and I was always involved with any and every event that had to do with working with the community. Three of my best friends today were established at Palmer, Gina ArgibayDiaz, Sari Von-Buren, and Jason Graman.

I graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Exercise Physiology. I did a lot of community work with the mentally handicapped and for St. Jude because this was something my parents were involved in. My parents have been my role models because they have always believed in giving back to the community.

My father established a Foundation with the UM/Sylvester Hospital. The Dwoskin Foundation has donated over one million dollars towards lymphoma cancer research. Recently, I chose to do a fundraiser for the Braman Breast Cancer Foundation at the UM/Sylvester because my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2008.

It spread to her lymph nodes, so she had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation. She finished her treatments on December 5th and she is CANCER-FREE! All women need to follow her lead of a positive outlook and a love for life!

Metamorphecise Spa, Salon, and Health Club is located in Pembroke Pines. My husband Matt Woityra and I opened it in 2001 and we now have 3,000 gym members and 1,500 spa members. Every year, we do a Spin-A-Thon charity event. This event has spinning bikes, dance classes, live entertainment, a health fair, and live and silent auction. We have had it for Reach for the Stars Foundation, Dan Marino Foundation, and St. Jude. This year, I wanted to do it for breast cancer because of my mom. In the past, we have raised about $15,000 and this year we raised $25,000. We had the event in October and thanks to the help of our members: Lawrence Taylor, Dwayne and Rocky Johnson, and the Miami Heat players, the sports memorabilia raised us much more money to help the cause. We also hosted Miami Heat Dancers, Deco Drive, and close to 1,000 attendees came out and supported the event. We had feature articles in the Sun-Sentinel, The Miami Herald, and were also on Channel 10 News with Kristi Krueger. It was a huge success and it will now become an annual event with the UM/Sylvester Hospital.

We also have a Spa Day for Breast Cancer patients in October, where they can enjoy free spa services to help make the patients feel better. Once a year, we do a transformation contest for people to transform their lives through diet and exercise, as well as mind and spirit. We have applicants who have really been through ordeals in their life (depression, abuse, etc.) enter and the winner wins $10,000 worth of prizes. The Spa manager’s nephew became paralyzed from a motorcross accident and we did a fundraiser for him. We also have a child obesity program, with the help of the six kids from the Shaq’s biggest challenge TV show. We have helped over 50 kids this past year to get fit and healthy. Dr. Muinos, from Miami Children’s Hospital, is involved with us. Metamorphecise tries to do three to five big events a year for charity and really give back to the community.

My husband and I have always been big fitness people but we never realized how beneficial having proper diet, exercise, and state of mind could save lives until we opened our business. We have helped divorcees, cancer survivors, people who have lost loved ones, Alumnews 32

and. lost their jobs. Our business has become an outlet to help people cope in their everyday lives. We have decided that in 2009 we will be expanding our business into a Cancer Rehab Center.

We will have physical therapy, personal training, massage, wigs, seminars and anything relating to healing people who are going through or have gone through cancer treatment. My husband’s father is also fighting lung cancer.

I am not happy that my mom had to go through such a huge ordeal with her breast cancer, but I definitely want to thank her. I want to thank her for teaching me how to be so positive and strong and to have such a wonderful outlook on life. Because of what my mom has been through it has led me and my business on a different path.

I am looking forward to 2009 and creating this entire new wing to help cancer patients go through their life fighting ordeal to heal themselves, the way my mom did. Metamorphecise (Where the Transformation Begins) has always given back to the community and now we are really looking forward to do so much more!

January! Joseph Chabot is living in Lexington, KY with his wife, June. He works for Hewlett-Packard as a senior instructional designer. Joseph writes, “Hey everyone. I’m finally back in America after living in Asia and the UK for the past 12 years. I would love to hear from any of you.” Jason Graman attended California State University at Northridge. He now lives in McKinney, TX and is a restaurateur.

her husband Kyle MacArthur would like to announce the birth of their son Liam Martin MacArthur. He was born on February 9, 2008 in Bracknell, Berkshire, UK weighing 8lbs 10oz. Allison received her BA from the University of Miami and her MS from Golden Gate University. She currently works for Mars IS. Alden (Dunwody) Pimentel is living in Greenville, SC with her husband, Jaime, and their three kids Elliott, Stewart, and Lauren.

1989

Class Agent: Scott Shelfer scott@exactaland.com Julie (Consuegra) Islami and her husband, Jahan, live in Key Biscayne, FL with their children, Alec (age 7), Eric (age 4) and Natalie (age 1). Denise Mitchell McNeal lives in Marianna, FL with her husband, Russell, and works for the Department of Corrections as a PSS. Mason Harris and his wife, Denie, welcomed their first child, a baby girl, into this world on September 15th. After a lengthy search and interview process, Palmer Trinity School has named alumnus Scott Shelfer as the new Head Coach for the Falcon’s Boys Lacrosse Program. Coach Shelfer was most recently the Head JV Coach for the Falcons, but he brings a wealth of experience to the position including an outstanding career as a player for Trinity Episcopal School, where he was the senior Captain of a team of young players that eventually went on to win the State Championship for Palmer Trinity School in 1992.

1990

Class Agent: Peter Baumberger psb@rbrlaw.com Alden Pimentel Pimentel@bellsouth.net Craig Silverman writes, “I am currently employed

by CarMax.” Trinity Alumna Allison Maguire and

Jones, who lives in North Carolina, and happened to also be in town for the Reunion. She does not keep in touch with many other of her classmates, but would love to see them at the next Alumni events. She said that she loves the school and can think of no better place for her kids. She would like to take a tour with her kid so she can see all the changes made and show them where she “grew up.” Tim Goode Bliss writes, “I am living in Berlin, Germany working for MTV Germany producing content for OnAir. My favorite teacher, where I actually used something to get me where I am today, is Mrs. RG in geometry class. I work mainly with 3D. I am married, no kids, but one Jack Russell Terrier which is the same thing.

1992

Class Agent Needed Evans (Dunwody) Crews ‘91, Winsy (Dunwody) Pittinos ‘97, and Alden (Dunwody) Pimentel ‘90

1991

Katherine (Hassan) Wittenmyer lives in Miami with husband Wes, and their baby girl, Grace. Victor Rosado has two young boys and lives in Miami. He travels frequently for work, but still manages to play lacrosse for the Miami Makos and Team Bacardi.

Class Agent: Derek Fisher derfisher@aol.com

1993

PJ (Frigo) Ortiz lives in Miami with her husband, Nelson, and two kids Brooks (age 9) and Ryan (age 4). She is a busy stay at home mom who is thrilled she is able to do so. PJ had not stepped on campus since the day she graduated and was blown away when she attended the May cocktail reception. After graduation, she attended Florida State University and received her degree in Psychology. She then received her master’s degree at North Florida University in School Counseling. She returned to Miami and immediately got married and started working at Gulliver School as their school counselor. She worked there for several years and then decided to be a stay at home mom.

She keeps in touch with Alumna Nicole (Getman)

Caroline Camus received her BA from Vassar College and received her master’s degree from the University of Miami. She now lives in Pembroke Pines, FL and works for Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. as a client coordinator. Alejandro Robles attended Barry University. He lives in Hialeah, FL with his wife, Beth and works at Premier Design Homes. Charles Ross is a Therapeutic Consultant at Medtronic. He writes, “I attended Palmer from my 7th grade year to my sophomore year. I left Palmer after my sophomore year in 1991 to attend Christopher Columbus High School where I graduated.” He received his BA from Morehouse College.

Class Agent: Amanda Matalon amatalon@arnoldoil.com

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1994

took place at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.

Class Agent: Charles Baumberger catcay@yahoo.com Campbell Walker cwalker@lincolnharris.com Sol Tucker writes, “I went to Palmer from 1988-94.

I am the founder of a 2,000 acre rainforest reserve in Belize. I live there with my wife, Adena, and host tourists and volunteers on our exciting educational program in the heartland of the Mayan Jungle. My contact in Belize is posted on www.belizebamboo. com. Ruben Veliz writes, “Life is good! I’ve been a lawyer in Charlotte, NC for the past seven years.

First with a firm, then as in-house counsel at Bank of America and now back with another law firm. I am staying pretty busy, which is good these days!”

and husband. We also just found out we’re going to have a baby boy! The baby is due May or June. We’re very happy!”

Winsy Dunwody married Andrew Pittinos ‘95 in Highlands, NC over the summer.

Chris Block married Catherine Irvin in October in North Carolina.

1995

Class Agent: Kaitlin Blazejack kaitlin.blazejack@smith.alumnae.net Chip Walter owns his own business called Bay Project Management, Inc. in Miami. It focuses on navigating the nuances associated with both commercial and residential construction projects. From architect and contractor selection, to project completion, they handle it all! Sarah Fernandez was recently engaged.

Daniel Hyams recently moved to New York City from New Jersey and is working for the City of NY in their Procurement Department. Bridges Aderhold has created “K.I.S.S. Greetings” which showcases artistic photography. Each card is a hand printed work of art. Check out the website to purchase your very own cards from www.kissgreetings.net .

Stacie Cooper is married and living in Inland Empire, CA. They have a daughter named Regan and are expecting again!

Brett French writes, “Meg and I had our Christmas early this year. Our daughter Ashley Slay French was born Friday, December 12. Ashley was 7 pounds and 5 ounces.”

1996

Class Agent: Lynley Walker Ciorobea lynley3@yahoo.com Lynley (Walker) Ciorobea started a new company for baby gear! Check it out and pass along: www. winslowbaby.com .

Matthew Lazenby married fellow PTS Alumna Kristin Arbuckle ’98 on January 24. Their wedding

1998 1997

Class Agent: Brett French brettfrench@yahoo.com

Class Agent: Brian Gershen briangershen@gmail.com Preston Dickerson prestond@hotmail.com Nathan Zeder nz1305@aol.com

Ticyana Motta writes, “After I graduated from FIU in 2001, I came back to Brazil to live with my family. I spent some time in São Paulo and then I came back to my hometown. I have been working in International Business since I moved back. Leticia Bertonha Prata writes, “I´m living in Sao Paulo. I became an Environmental Lawyer Specialist and I´m very happy with my work. Gui, my brother, works with me at my firm. He is also doing fine. I got married in 2006.

My husband, a plastic surgeon, is a wonderful man

James Campbell opened his own consulting firm called “What You Say.” James first moved to New York to study Communications Design at Pratt Institute for Art and Design. While in school, he landed an apprenticeship with Stephen Gan, the Creative Director of Harper’s Bazaar. He made his name in the fashion industry rising through the ranks at Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons, where he started as a marketing assistant and after a six year tenure, he left as Senior Director of Marketing

Alumnews 34

and Advertising. Working under the Phat Fashions umbrella, James was responsible for building an image for globally recognized brands such as KLS Cosmetics, Phat Farm, Simmons Jewelry Company, and the mega-brand Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons. James is currently working as a freelance consultant in New York City. He has poured his ideas into building a name for such brands as John Allan’s salon for men, VNY Model Management, and Milk & Honey Lingerie Co. Preston Dickerson graduated from the University of Miami Business School in May. Jon Lawrence is working as a lawyer in Miami, travels a lot for work, and recently joined the Sandy Golf Tournament Committee. Sabrina Gray is living in Miami and is engaged to Carlos Siso. Jayne Truckenbrod lives in Austin, TX and is a resident at UTMB Pediatrics.

Nathan Zeder and his wife, Annie, welcomed their first child, Jack, in June.

But if you notice, the place changes from month to month, and we have to pool our creative resources to make that come together. In this sense we are aligned with rented and phantom spaces, that pop up to run month-long exhibitions around town, this is an already accepted mode of communication. The idea of having an online based gallery is purposed around the accessibility of globalization, as the art world gets bigger, it also gets smaller. Art exists in many cities around the globe and many of us only experience those shows via the internet.” Check out their website online at www.lightandwiregallery.com .

1999

Class Agent: Belinda Frieri BelindaFrieriBustillo@milliken.com Marco Carega writes, “After graduating from Palmer, I continued my education at Northeastern University in Boston, MA, pursuing a degree in Media Arts and Design and also in Business Administration. While in Boston, I was a member of a band called Audible Mainframe. After getting my BS, I began working at The Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies at MIT, where I worked as the Assistant for HQ operations.

I also run a home based business as a graphic design consultant. I just moved back to Miami in April, and I’m now working as a project manager at a trial consulting company called TrialGraphix.” Belinda Frieri is planning her wedding and getting married soon. Panee (Chuechunklin) Cili and husband, Eric, welcomed baby Matthew into this world in November.

2001 Class Agent Needed Jacob Fuerst was married over the summer. Many PTS Alumni attended as well as faculty members.

2000 Gladys Hernando graduated from Otis College of Art and Design in 2004, where her focus was in Fine Arts- Painting and Drawing. She is currently working at a contemporary art gallery in LA. She recently collaborated with a friend to create Light & Wire Gallery, promoting emerging artists online.

Gladys writes, “Our mission is to focus on exhibiting upcoming and unrepresented artists in an environment that challenges the traditional gallery format. What makes us unique is our attempt to run a legitimate gallery without having a physical space to work out of or into. This also gives us a greater flexibility for experimentation (curating two shows with artists who do not live in the L.A. area) and in playing with the technological potential of the internet (screening films that have never been seen in public as in the work of Greg Wilken, and in utilizing basic code like hyperlinks to create a more complex rhizome of interest as in the work of Matt MacFarland) Each of our shows so far has explored different approaches to the possibilities of the “white box” gallery and the non-space. Installation shots are key to showing sculptural works and larger bodies of work. It’s an essential “gallery” trope, to show the exhibition hung, and it also serves to legitimize us as a “real” gallery.

from JMU in 2007. Travis Anderson writes, “On April 12, 2008, I was married to Kristin Ann Lord of Jacksonville. The service was at St. John’s Cathedral in Jacksonville, with a reception at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Following the wedding, we enjoyed a fabulous two week honeymoon visiting Ireland and Scotland. I received my Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida in May 2008. After graduation, I took a job as a research scientist at the US Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. We currently reside in Alexandria, Virginia.” Nina Rastetter attended Northumbria University in England. She now lives in Germany with her husband, Ivica, and works for Siemens AG as a controller. Tony Blazejack worked very hard on a serious goal to participate in the Great Floridian Triathlon in Clermont, FL. It was his goal to not only complete the race, but also to use his first Ironman experience to send at least one student on an expedition through Daniel Pemsler’s Memorial Scholarship Fund for Outward Bound. Unfortunately, his hopes to compete in his first iron-distance triathlon have been temporarily put on hold. A nagging knee injury cut his season short. As for Clermont, he has transferred his registration to the half-iron distance relay. Despite the setback, the fundraiser was an enormous success. He collected $3,581 worth of checks to Outward Bound in the name of the Daniel Pemsler Scholarship fund, over a $1,000 above his goal of $2,500.

Class Agent: Soozie Klock seklock@gmail.com Soozie Klock began working as an Associate at the law firm of Boies, Schiller & Flexner in June. She is now living in Fort Lauderdale.

Ailton Motta is living in Brazil He graduated from law school in June. He might work for the family business afterwards. Maggie Sibley is attending the University of Buffalo working towards getting her PhD in ADHD Research. She obtained her master’s

Oscar Prat writes “I currently work for Westinghouse Electric Company (not the TV company) as a Senior Project Engineer working on the first two new nuclear power plants we are building near Augusta, GA. This is a massive task that takes 1,000s - 10,000s of people since the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) is somewhere in the order of $8 billion total.

So work is a pretty busy time for me as this nuclear renaissance is back in the USA. In my free time, I generally do one to two trips a year primarily for scuba diving. Over the past few years I have gone to The Bahamas, Honduras, and Costa Rica with plans to possibly go to Belize or Bonaire or both this year. I have a goal of stepping foot in 100 countries

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A l u m n i

S p o t l i g h t

Alba Gosalbez ‘06 While at Palmer Trinity, I was very involved with the Impact trip to Nicaragua. I went on this trip my last three years at Palmer. It was a beautiful experience. To be able to go to a foreign country with the purpose of helping those in need and actually see yourself and the “impact” you have on those helped is such a blessing. Now, I feel so incredibly lucky to have had such good experiences because I realize that not everyone does these things.

I knew it was a special experience that we were a part of, but this awareness has grown over the years and I look back on it now and think “yes, this is absolutely something I need to be doing for the rest of my life. I need to help people.” I guess you could say I found “my calling” very early on and didn’t even realize it.

Currently, I am a Junior at FIU and I became involved with the YES!+ Program through The Art of Living Youth. YES!+ is an innovative and dynamic educational and life skills program for young students and professionals. YES!+ empowers young people with tools to eliminate stress, rid the system of negative emotions, develop strong social and leadership skills, heighten awareness and increase mental focus. This intense program also includes practical sessions on entrepreneurial skills, maximizing individual potential and physical, mental and emotional health. It also challenges young people to reach their highest potential and has made a difference to thousands across the world.

Currently, I am committed to the Haiti Relief project. My other YES!+ teacher, Uma, has been working very closely with the Haitian community here in Miami and in Haiti. After the hurricanes devastated Haiti this past year, Uma and Amanda organized over forty public schools to collect and donate canned food and goods to be shipped to Haiti. With the help of volunteers, all of the supplies were picked up in one day. It took a day and a half to re-pack everything, transfer over to the port and put it on the ships. Even though this project only took a full week, it taught me that you can do absolutely anything you want to if you put your mind to it. Young people truly can make a difference in the world, and we’re doing it right now. It’s becoming a revolution.

I went to India over the Winter Break and began the YES!+ course which concentrates in silent meditation. We sat in silence for a period of days. It’s designed to enhance self-discovery and recharge the mind and body. We took the Sahadj Samadhi Meditation course. This course teaches you a simple and practical way to practice meditation every day. It allows you to focus and remain in the present moment, which is extremely important. The third course is called DSN. It translates into “Creating a Divine Society - Do Something Now”. This course teaches you how to break through personal inhibitions and barriers. It empowers you and allows you to have such a solid core that no outside event can shake you. After the coursework, we participate in a service project and then visit rural schools and temples, while participating in sustainable development projects. I am 20 years old and I already have already fulfilled one of my life dreams. I feel so lucky.

I don’t see any other purpose in life other than helping others, or helping in general. There are so many problems out there that it doesn’t make sense to focus your attention on something unproductive; it’s a waste of energy to do so. Now that I have become so involved with the Art of Living Foundation and YES!+, I don’t see myself doing anything else other than continuing to work with the foundation and aiding those in need.

The message I would like to send to others is that you are the only person in control of your destiny. You can do anything you set your mind to. If you go into a situation thinking “this will never happen, it’s impossible for this to work” then it won’t. But if you have a positive attitude and you are convinced that you can do this, you will. Things are not as complicated as they seem…we make them that way.

After graduation, I would like to become a YES!+ teacher.

I want to be able to work with children who have been mistreated and abused and help them find a way to express and release their traumas in a positive and healthy way. I don’t know how long after graduation this will take, but I have a feeling that I won’t have to wait until after graduation for too long.

Alumnews 36

before I die, and have visited 17 so far. On my way, but still tons remaining.” Tatiana Suarez graduated from the University of Miami in 2005 with her BFA in Graphic Design/Illustration/Minor in Art History.

She writes, “I am currently focusing on painting and starting up my own design studio. Just wrapped up my first solo show called Subjective Charm (June 7-14), planning the next one for Art Basel in December!”

To visit Tatiana’s website, go to www.tatisuarez.com.

Kristin Hayden writes “My third internship will be in Miami (Jan-March) so I’ll be around!” Ana de la Iglesia writes Mrs. Vale, “I thought about you the other day, and have several times over the past years and was wondering how you were doing. I was lucky enough that PTS has a very advanced website, so I was able to find you through it! How are you and your family? I’ve been doing pretty well. I graduated in 2005 from Goucher with a degree in Psychology and a Spanish Literature minor. While at Goucher, I took several French Literature and culture classes, but never pursued a minor since I did not like some of the professors. But it will please you to hear that one of my French papers was featured in the French program’s website! While at Goucher, I got the chance to study abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand--leaving the country just days before the tsunami hit. I am now completing my last year of graduate school for Speech Language Pathology at Teachers College at Columbia University. It’s a very demanding program, but I will be done next December! I am still friends with Vicky Garcia and Daniel Matus. Vicky is an engineer working for NASA and Danny is getting his master’s in Mechanical Engineering.”

2003

Class Agent: Dax Tejera r.dax.tejera@dartmouth.org Laura Ateca lateca@sas.upenn.edu Brian Fernandez has been promoted to Associate Project Manager for Ogilvy Interactive, working with the Dove and TD Ameritrade accounts. Ogilvy is one of the world’s leading advertising agencies. Dan Pimentel has relocated to New York City for a job at a luxury goods business. Joseph Rosado is now living in New York. James Ovelmen is getting his master’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin.

He received the Barnes Fellowship this year, usually offered to one or two students each year. James always gives PT’s faculty a lot of credit for his success. James writes, “Each year the LBJ School reviews the top fellowship recipients and designates one or two students a Ben Barnes Fellow. The title is given to students who demonstrate the potential to best represent the superior qualities that inspired Mr. Barnes to fund the student scholarships at the LBJ School. I am really enjoying school and living here in Austin, the live music capital of the world. In addition to my classes I am working as a Graduate Research Assistant. Currently, I am helping a professor research and edit a paper on the lessons learned from President Johnson’s science and technology policy for the next Administration. I am focusing on energy, science and technology policy.”

2002

Class Agent: Adria Jenkins Young sugarsweetpeachz@aol.com Jeremy Burns writes, “I have been working in a lab at the U Penn School of Medicine for two years now doing immunology research and I was just published as second author on a paper we submitted to the journal Immunity.” Grania Michel writes, “I graduated from Penn in 2006 with BS in Political Science, Philosophy and Economics. Since graduation, I moved back to Miami to be with my then boyfriend, now fiancé, Erik Jacobson ‘01. He proposed about a month ago in Panama where we were visiting his older brother Peder ‘99.” Alejandra Pinel stopped by campus in the spring to visit old faculty. She is living in Panama City, Panama. Alexis Jenkins graduated from Florida A&M University School of Allied Health Services on August 8, 2008 with a BS in Health Information Management.

Peach (Jenkins) Young, Marla Timmons, and Shradha Ramchandani stopped by campus in the fall to visit faculty and view the campus.

Jamaal Douglas graduated from Eastern Kentucky University and is looking into playing professional basketball.

2004

Class Agent: Corina Lopez lopc0007@unf.edu Penny Flick graduated on May 13th with honors from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She has appeared in numerous productions including King Lear, Spring Awakenings, She Stoops to Conquer and Bury the Dead. She attended Oxford University College in England last summer and is in the Honor Society for Theater and serves as their treasurer. She plans to go to New York after wrapping things up in Atlanta.

In addition, she won the Alice N. Benston Award in Theater Studies “awarded annually by departmental faculty to not more than two graduating seniors or recent graduates who have shown exceptional dedication, promise and intellectual rigor” and the Fine Award “bestowed annually upon a junior or senior Theater Studies major or minor who has shown outstanding ability in acting.” Lisa Migliaccio writes, “I’m in Jacksonville, I have one more class to take and my Advertising Internship to do this fall before I graduate in December. I’m going to Canada later in August to visit Alex and then home to Miami to see my parents before classes and my internship start.” Andy Kirkpatrick applied for an art program at FSU. She is finishing that up and working on her graduate show that will be exhibited in the spring!

Gabriel Fontes de Faria is graduating in May from a five year architecture program at the Illinois School of Technology. Michael Contreras writes, “I graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management with Concentrations in Finance and Marketing. I started working for work for Venevision two months ago as a Channel Coordinator.

It has been great coming back home to Miami. I have definitely missed it these past few years.” Kate Howard graduated cum laude in civil engineering from Clemson University and is working on her MS in structural engineering and has a teaching assistantship at Georgia Tech. Her parents, Cherry Payne and Bob Howard, are now living 60 miles from Juneau, Alaska and Cherry is working at Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve. Former Palmer Trinity lacrosse standout Ian Wogan has been named as the Assistant Varsity Lacrosse Coach for the Falcons. Ian was a three sport standout for PTS, excelling in football, soccer, and especially lacrosse where he played mid-field for the Falcons.

Alumnews 37

Christina Aguilar-Vila is attending the University of Miami and working at Vila and Son. Jenna Pimentel graduated from Santa Clara University in December with a bachelor’s degree and writes, “I majored in Studio Art with my emphasis in Photography. Now that I have graduated, I plan on getting my master’s (MFA) at either Academy of Arts in San Francisco or San Jose State University. Who knows where life will take me but I hope to teach at some point in my life! I hope all is well at PTS... I miss it dearly!”

2005

State Conference Defensive Player of the Week for her effort in a pair of SSC victories last weekend. Johnson led the Mocs in digs in both matches, recording 21 in the four-set win over Nova Southeastern and 18 in the three set win over Lynn. She averaged 5.57 digs per set in the two matches. She leads FSC in digs for the season with 420. Courtney graduates from Florida Southern College this May but has decided to use her 4th year of eligibility to stay on the volleyball team and pursue a master’s degree. Alejandro Melean was selected to the Patriot League First Team at Holy Cross.

and is the Overall Director of Women’s History Month for the Women’s Leadership Council. Additionally, Nancy is a First Year Florida Peer Leader which is a new student program on campus. David Milgram is spending the semester abroad in Florence, Italy and was asked to model for an Italian clothing agency.

2007

Class Agent: Brittany Kalbac babrit8347@aol.com Brittany Kalbac writes, “This year I am an RA, so I am getting to relive life in first year dorms. I love my residents. I am also leading a Core Group for Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, and just really diving into all that good old UVA has to offer.”

Nick Fitzgerald’07 and Judd Smith ’08 along with former varsity lacrosse coach Josh Blumenthal played

Class Agent: Katey O’Regan katey613@yahoo.com After two seasons as the team manager for the Yale University Bulldogs Men’s Basketball team Brandon Rose has earned a spot on the Division I team roster.

The former Miami Herald All-Dade second team selection helped lead the Falcons to the FHSAA Class 2A Final Four during his time at PTS.

2006

Class Agent: Brandon McNary bmcnary@indiana.edu Edward Luckmann luckmann.e@neu.edu Carlos Abreu is a senior at Washington University, majoring in Finance and Managerial Economics and Strategy, with a minor in Accounting. He was recently featured in the school’s magazine as a student in Washington University’s Olin Business School.

Eddy Mendiola will serve as the Gold team’s captain for the Notre Dame Baseball Team. Each year, the baseball team holds its annual Blue-Gold intra-squad series at Eck Stadium.

Courtney Johnson attends Florida Southern College and is on the volleyball team. She is the Sunshine

Gaby Jaimes attends Florida International University and plays on the volleyball team.

Julio Ligorria writes, “As of September 2007, I got a job working as an Executive Assistant to the CEO of Alternet Systems. It is a company that does a little bit of everything but mainly focuses on providing prepaid phone services and VoIP communication solutions to multi-level corporations and small to medium sized business as well as your everyday citizen. Some of its major projects include infrastructure/transportation solutions, prepaid systems, and money remittance, among other major projects. I’ve been working there since early August and I love every minute of it. My job entails long hours, being on call 24/7 but there are some perks such as fully paid travel and stay wherever there is business to be done. I have an amazing job, an incredible girlfriend with whom I will be celebrating our one year anniversary August 17th, and a family that I wouldn’t change for the world.” Nancy Padron is an Associate General Chair for Homecoming at the University of Florida. Nancy is a third year student majoring in Fine Arts with an emphasis on sculpture.

She is also pursuing minors in both Art History and Business Administration. She previously served as the Alumni Barbecue Director for Homecoming 2007 at UF and is excited to continue her contribution and enthusiasm to the rich legacy of Homecoming. She is also an active member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority

Alumnews 38

and coached respectively for the Bermuda National Lacrosse Team at the Under 19 World Lacrosse Championships held in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The team took home second place in their division with Fitzgerald ranking second in the entire world in save percentage at 65.08 and Smith scoring the gamewinning goal against Finland in the first round of the playoffs. All three members have been selected to be part of the Bermuda Men’s National Team in 2010 in Manchester, England. The other nations fielding teams included, United States, Canada, Australia, England, Iroquois Nationals, Finland, Wales, Japan, South Korea, Germany and Scotland.

Camila Roger writes, “I currently attend the University of Miami and I jumped right into the school

of Architecture. Being a first year student in college and in architecture has been pretty difficult because

it’s such a demanding major. I definitely struggled with change and school and the pressure of figuring out what I’m going to be doing for the rest of my life, but luckily I made a lot of very close friends easily and I feel they’ll be life-long friends. These people really kept me going all year and helped me through every crossroad I found myself at. I lived on campus (even though I live minutes away from the school) because I really wanted the full college experience. It was the best decision I ever made and I feel lucky my parents let me do that because that’s how I made all my closest friends. I spent a lot of time in the dorms. I also finally got to see Miami as a tourist and visit all the hot spots I hadn’t before. I definitely have some crazy stories and memories I’ll always cherish. Second semester got a little tougher for me as I struggled with personal things as well as school and I felt it was time for a change so I went sky diving and I went on a small weekend road trip to Orlando with some friends. A lot of people say they miss high school because it was so easy. I have to say I’m happy to be out, but only because I’m confident about where I am and I feel Palmer has prepared me. After everything I went through this year, I still had the strength to ace my toughest classes and end with flying colors. I owe that to Palmer (and to my parents of course). This summer I’ll be working as a counselor for an event called Great Start. It is when incoming freshmen (that live in Miami) come to stay at UM for a weekend and learn all about the school and what they need to know and the best part is we play a bunch of games and have a huge scavenger hunt and party and it’s all run by students. We do it for three weekends. I did this last summer before I went to UM and I definitely had the time of my life. Then I’ll be going to California with my family. I hope to be able to see my classmates again soon!” Will Morrison was part of the Chapman Panthers WCLL Division I Lacrosse Champions!

This victory has been 21 years in the making – their first Division I championship ever! The game started out with Chapman up 3-1 early, but ASU tied it up 3-3 and made it another heart-stopping thriller. Chapman was up 7-3 near the end of the half, but ASU scored 2, making it 7-5 at halftime. Two more goals early in the third tied the game up at 7. However, the Panthers scored 9 unanswered goals and never looked back, with the final score of 17-9. Now that they are in preseason, they are ranked in first place in their division.

Andrea Farah hit .533 and made 10 kills as Bentley cruised to a three-set sweep of St. Michael’s College in Northeast-10 Conference women’s volleyball Saturday afternoon at the Dana Center. The Bentley Falcons hit a season-best .352 en route to the 25-20, 25-14, 25-21 victory. Kela Casiple was selected by ESPN Magazine to the All-District Academic Soccer Team. Goalkeeper Kela and senior defender Nenita Burgess of the Blue Raider soccer team were named to the 2008 ESPN Magazine Academic All-District 4 Teams as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. “It is truly an honor for both of them to receive such a prestigious award,” Head

Coach Aston Rhoden said. “At Middle Tennessee we stress academic as well as athletic excellence. It is good to see two of our more accomplished student athletes embody the spirit of what we strive to achieve at our university.” Casiple was selected as one of just two goalkeepers to the District 4 Second Team after achieving a 3.90 cumulative grade-point average through the 2007 academic year. She ranks 19th in the nation in save percentage and 60th in goals-against average. Going into the final match of the season, the English major ranks second overall in the Sun Belt Conference in save percentage, third in goals-against average and second in shutouts.

Ashley Pemsler writes, “I am in my second year at the

University of Rochester. I am majoring in Psychology and currently helping a grad student run studies in social psychology research. I am going to start the honors psychology program next semester and am truly enjoying my experience here.”

Nabil Moo’s band, Ismfof, was signed by Epitaf Records for three albums. The release of their first album was October 7, 2008. Kamal Moo ’98 is their manager. In May 2008, the band performed at the Bamboole Festival in Giant Stadium in New Jersey and the band toured for five weeks in November.

Nabil took a leave of absence this year from UM while touring, but definitely will be returning to finish taking classes. Check out their website at www. isetmyfriendsonfire.com for more information!

2008

Class Agent: Megan Cunningham

megan215@gwu.edu Ariel Moger aem2178@columbia.edu Judd Smith was selected to be part of the Bermuda National Lacrosse Team in the International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships which took place last July 3rd to 12th in Coquitlam, British Columbia. This event was previously held in Towson, Maryland, in 2003 with teams from Canada, the United States, Germany, Japan, Korea, England, Wales, Iroquois Nation, and Australia competing for the “Tom Hayes Trophy”.

The U.S. is the defending cup holder with its win over Team Canada in 2003. Bermuda will be entering their first ever U-19 event and will be placed in the ILF Red Division featuring Bermuda, Korea, Wales, Germany, Finland and Scotland. “We are excited that Judd will be able to represent his home country of Bermuda and hope that he will serve as an example to young Bermudian student-athletes of what they can achieve through the sport of lacrosse,” said Bermuda Lacrosse Association President Michael Totman. In addition head varsity lacrosse coach Josh Blumenthal will serve as an assistant coach for the club. Joe Masterman was named Miami Herald 2007-08 Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for MiamiDade County. In presenting the award sports reporter Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald stated that “Joe Masterman was a team captain on the Falcons’ lacrosse team and named a Wendy’s High School Heisman finalist. He scored an impressive 2,360 on his SAT and held a 4.24 GPA and was a first-team All-Dade selection in lacrosse and is on his way to Harvard in the fall.” Joe has joined the Crew team for Harvard this fall. Nina Colon was named Miami Herald 2007-08 4A-1A Girls’ Volleyball Player of the Year for Miami-Dade County. In presenting the award sports reporter Judy Erwin of the Miami Herald stated that “A senior libero, Colon dominated the back row all season for the Falcons. She had 602 digs and added 335 assists for the District 16-2A champions.” Nina joined the FIU Golden Panthers volleyball team and will compete this fall. Colon is a 5-foot-5 defensive specialist who was named Player of the Year, an honorable mention all-state and a first-team All-Dade County selection in 2007 while helping Palmer Trinity squad to a district championship. She also played club ball with South Dade Volleyball Club (2006-08) and Spike Volleyball Club (2004-06). “Nina is an overall good athlete who has played nearly every position on the court,” said Coach Tomic. “With her athleticism and work ethic, she can develop into a very good libero for us.” Joey Coulter writes, “The racing has been going pretty well and college is going great. My roommates are great; we all get along extremely well.

We’re actually talking about renting an apartment together for next year. All of my classes are going really well, I actually have better grades now than I ever did in high school. I won’t be at the Homestead race because I am racing over in Raleigh to get ready for the big race at the end of the year.” On December 9, 2008 in Huntersville, NC, Joe beat the best Late Model Stock Car competitors in the Carolinas and

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Virginia when he drove his Tempest Cycles/Darrell Gwynn Foundation Chevrolet to victory in the Dec. 7 running of the Thanksgiving Classic at North Carolina’s Southern National Raceway Park. The 200lap, $10,000-to-win race marks the first major Late Model win in the 18-year-old Florida native’s career.

Joe qualified eighth among the 33 starters. “The car was really, really good,” Joe said. “Randy Renfrow, crew chief, had an awesome setup. We didn’t get the qualifying run we wanted, but the car was fast. In the first half we just tried to stay out of trouble and see what we had.” Staying out of trouble is a tall order among such tough competitors, and Joe was spun early in the race and had to work his way through the field after restarting 28th. But by the 10-minute halfway break he was among the leaders again. “The car was perfect,” Joe said. “Randy just made a small air-pressure adjustment and told me to go out and win the thing.” When the checkered waved, Joe appeared to place second on the field, though he was charging and had the leader in his sights. He learned he’d won the race when he heard the track announcer state that the lead car was penalized one lap for an on-track incident not involving Coulter. “I was excited,” Joe said. “It just proves that you need to keep racing. You never give up when you’re running second or third, because you never know what might happen. You have to keep yourself in the best position possible, because anything can happen on the racetrack. I was gaining at the checkered and think if I had a few more laps I could have challenged him. When we heard we’d won we started jumping up and down and celebrating, and people were looking at us wondering why we were so happy.” A few minutes later they knew why Joe was happy, as he walked off with the five-foot trophy, incentive enough to do more Late Model Stock Car racing in the future. “I like racing the Late Model,” Joe said. “Everywhere you go there are 10 to 15 heavy hitters. It’s fun racing, and it’s good racing.”

Be sure to log on to www.JoeyCoulter.com for more information about this promising young driver’s racing endeavors.

leaders. This year, Salute to Education awarded its usual 100 scholarships to Miami-Dade high school seniors and 100 to Broward seniors. Each $1,000 scholarship, which can be used only toward tuition, was made out to the student’s college. Cam is attending Dickinson College.

Ariel Moger writes, “I am living in New York City and I am currently attending Columbia University. I plan on majoring in political science with a possible

concentration in philosophy. Even though I have just started college, I am having the time of my life.

My classes are exciting and living in NYC has been a dream come true. I cannot wait to come back and tell everyone stories. Since I have been at Columbia we have had the privilege of hosting both presidential candidates for a discussion on community service.

We also have access to foreign leaders, including presidents and prime ministers, who come to speak at public forums on our campus. I feel very fortunate to be here. I also feel that Palmer Trinity did an excellent job of preparing me for college and that has made my transition to college even easier.”

Christine Erice writes, “My current course of study is nursing. I am currently enrolled in Miami Dade, after I get my RN degree I am going to transfer to either

Megan Cunningham is pledging the Alpha Pi chapter of Alpha Delta Pi at The George Washington

University. She was also elected the Representative at Large for her residence hall. Jamil Jebai is pledging FIJI, or Phi Gamma Delta, at Florida International University. Natalie Imran is playing club soccer for University of Florida, and is majoring in architecture.

Brianna Rivas joined the Rugby team at Boston College and is now the President of her Nursing Class. Cam DiFede won a scholarship from Salute to Education. The program relies on the Scholarship Committee composed of Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers as well as business, educational, and civic

FIU or UM to continue to get my BSN and master’s as a Nurse Practitioner.” Nick Betancourt writes, “I’m at the University of Florida right now, and school is going pretty well. I love Gainesville and the University, though I miss the small classes at PTS. I’ll be going to Costa Rica this summer with International Student Volunteers to do conservation and education work as well as nature hikes and white water rafting.”

Diego Alonso writes, “I’m currently studying at USF in Tampa. My major is mechanical engineering and it is definitely a lot of work. My courses include chemistry, foundations of engineering, composition 1, and precalculus. I am not really involved in too many extracurricular activities except for one. I joined a club known as the Society of Automotive Engineers being that this is my main field of interest. The club involves designing and building both on-road and offroad race cars from scratch and racing them around

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the country. We have a shop on campus that has tools required to be able to weld, cut and shave any metal pieces we may have to design. This club has taught me a lot through hands on experience that I most definitely could not have learned in the classroom. Tampa is a great city and I have made a ton of friends here, some of whom go to USF and some of whom are actually still in high school. The campus here is huge and with over 40,000 students it took me a while to learn my way around campus. The transition socially was very easy and I am very happy here. Unfortunately I am transferring to Northeastern University in Boston at the end of this semester so I will have to start making friends and learning the campus and streets all over again. But I’m looking forward to it and hoping that I like NEU as much as I like USF.” Lauren Adamo writes, “So far my first semester has been good. My classes aren’t too hard but I have a full schedule.

Biology is the only class giving me trouble. My teacher gives really hard tests but I’m learning a lot. I keep in touch with a few kids from my class including Ariel Moger and Shea Adam. I went to New York a few weeks ago and I saw Ariel and Cori Capik at Columbia for a few hours before I spent the rest of the weekend with my brother. It was great to see them and catch up!! I also went to Vermont with Senior, Michelle Evans and her family for a weekend and we had a lot of fun. I still talk to all my friends at PTS almost every day. Connecticut is a lot different from Miami; there’s not nearly as much diversity and very few people speak Spanish but I’m still enjoying it. I come home November 21st for Thanksgiving and I can’t wait to see everyone!” Alex Sachs has gone from being a Falcon to a Hawk as a member of the Roger Williams University co-ed sailing team. Joro Forman is pitching up a storm in Ohio! As a twosport participant and 2008 Miami Herald All-Dade baseball and basketball selection he has continued his impressive athletic ways as a pitcher on the Denison University baseball team. Cristina Gil, who finished her Palmer Trinity School basketball career as a member of the 1,000 point club and listed on the Miami Herald All-Dade basketball second team, is now a member of the Suffolk University Rams women’s basketball squad. Gregg Steinman is attending Moravian College and is a member of the school’s baseball team where he is playing both first and third base. He was a 2008 Miami Herald third team All-Dade baseball player. Mike Woll is playing football and lacrosse for Lake Forest College. The 2008 Miami Herald All-Dade football and lacrosse player Mike has continued his successful ways as a dual sport athlete. The lacrosse season will begin at the conclusion of his football season. Ricky Morgan, former Miami Herald All-Dade football player, is playing on the Wagner College Seahawk football squad this year. Stephen Ludovici is at the University of Florida and writes, “Classes are easy. I am planning on spending the summer back home in Miami. I see Nick Betancourt occasionally. Gainesville is a lot like Miami, but a little colder when the cold fronts come through.”

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